The visual cycle is a crucial biological process that enables the regeneration of the light-sensitive molecule rhodopsin in the retina, allowing for continuous vision in varying light conditions. It involves the conversion of all-trans-retinal back to 11-cis-retinal, a process essential for the photoreceptor cells to maintain their sensitivity to light.

Visual Cycle

visual cycle

A biological process is a series of events or molecular functions that occur in living organisms to sustain life, such as metabolism, cell division, or photosynthesis. These processes are essential for growth, development, reproduction, and maintaining homeostasis in an organism.

biological process

Regeneration of rhodopsin

light-sensitive molecule

The retina is a light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that converts light into neural signals, which are then sent to the brain for visual recognition. It is crucial for vision and contains photoreceptor cells called rods and cones, which are responsible for low-light and color vision, respectively.

retina

continuous vision

varying light conditions

conversion of all-trans-retinal

11-cis-retinal is a crucial molecule in the visual cycle, acting as the light-absorbing chromophore in the retina's photoreceptor cells. Upon absorbing light, it undergoes a structural change to all-trans-retinal, initiating the signal transduction pathway that leads to vision.

11-cis-retinal

Photoreceptor cells are specialized types of neurons found in the retina that convert light into electrical signals, which are then processed by the brain to form visual images. The two main types of photoreceptor cells, rods and cones, are responsible for different aspects of vision, such as night vision and color perception respectively.

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