What is the photopigment associated with a rod?

What is the photopigment associated with a rod?

• A. Rhodopsin
• B. Chlorophyll
• C. Photopsin
• D. Cyanopsin

Answer: (A)

Rhodopsin is the photopigment that is specifically found in the rods of the retina, which are responsible for vision in low light conditions. This pigment is highly sensitive to light and plays a crucial role in the phototransduction pathway, allowing rods to detect dim light. When light hits rhodopsin, it undergoes a chemical change that initiates a series of reactions, ultimately leading to the generation of nerve impulses that are sent to the brain, enabling vision. The other options are associated with different types of photoreceptors or functions. Chlorophyll, for instance, is a pigment involved in photosynthesis in plants and not connected to human vision. Photopsin refers to the photopigments found in the cone cells in the retina, which are responsible for color vision and function best in brighter light. Cyanopsin is a lesser-known photopigment linked to specific types of photoreceptors but is not a primary photopigment in human vision. The significance of rhodopsin lies in its ability to function under low-light conditions, making it essential for night vision, which is what distinguishes rod photoreceptors from cone photoreceptors that rely on other pigments.

Rhodopsin is the photopigment that is specifically found in the rods of the retina, which are responsible for vision in low light conditions. This pigment is highly sensitive to light and plays a crucial role in the phototransduction pathway, allowing rods to detect dim light. When light hits rhodopsin, it undergoes a chemical change that initiates a series of reactions, ultimately leading to the generation of nerve impulses that are sent to the brain, enabling vision.

The other options are associated with different types of photoreceptors or functions. Chlorophyll, for instance, is a pigment involved in photosynthesis in plants and not connected to human vision. Photopsin refers to the photopigments found in the cone cells in the retina, which are responsible for color vision and function best in brighter light. Cyanopsin is a lesser-known photopigment linked to specific types of photoreceptors but is not a primary photopigment in human vision.

The significance of rhodopsin lies in its ability to function under low-light conditions, making it essential for night vision, which is what distinguishes rod photoreceptors from cone photoreceptors that rely on other pigments.