photoreceptor

American  

[foh-toh-ri-sep-ter] / ˌfoʊ toʊ rɪˈsɛp tər /

noun

Physiology, Biology.

1. a receptor stimulated by light.

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photoreceptor British  

/ ˌfəʊtəʊrɪˈsɛptə /

noun

1. zoology physiol a light-sensitive cell or organ that conveys impulses through the sensory neuron connected to it

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photoreceptor Scientific  

/ fō′tō-rĭ-sĕp′tər /

1. A specialized structure or cell that is sensitive to light. In vertebrate animals, the photoreceptors are the rods and cones of the eye's retina.

2. See Note at circadian rhythm

3. An electronic device that converts light energy into electrical signals. Photoreceptors are used in photocopy and facsimile machines, cameras, and solar cells.

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Etymology

Origin of photoreceptor

First recorded in 1905–10; photo- + receptor

Example Sentences

He explains, "Remarkably, Nadja's work showed that bristleworm eyes can also add new photoreceptor cells and expand their size -- a trait that has not been well studied outside the vertebrate lineage."

From Science Daily

Milivojev and colleagues determined that this molecule appears in early precursors of the worm's photoreceptor cells, indicating that it acts as a molecular switch connecting light exposure to stem cell activity.

From Science Daily

In macular degeneration, the light-sensitive photoreceptor cells in the central retina deteriorate, leaving only limited peripheral vision.

From Science Daily

Visual pigments are the molecules in the photoreceptor cells of the retina that are responsible for detecting light and then sending signals to the brain to perceive that light.

From Science Daily

In the fruit fly, Ray's team found exposure to diacetyl volatiles substantially slowed degeneration of photoreceptor cells linked to Huntington's disease.

From Science Daily