What is the chemical composition of the rod pigment, rhodopsin, and how does it appear to act in the reception of light?

What will be an ideal response?


Rhodopsin is a combination of retinal and scotopsin. Retinal is chemically related to vitamin A and is synthesized from it. Retinal can form a variety of three-dimensional forms called isomers. The opsin protein combines with the 11-cis retinal to form rhodopsin. The light-triggered changes in retinal cause hyperpolarization of the rods. This happens because the light turns off sodium entry, which then inhibits the release of neurotransmitter, thus turning off electrical signals.

Anatomy & Physiology

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Anatomy & Physiology