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Biophysical processes in invertebrate photoreceptors: recent progress and a critical overview based on Limulus photoreceptors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 March 2009

Károly Nagy
Affiliation:
Institut f¨r Biologie II, der Rheinisch-Westfälischen Technischen Hochschule Aachen, Kopernikusstr. 16, D-5100 Aachen

Extract

Photoreceptor cells are special neurons which convert light to an electrical signal. The absorption of a photon by a rhodopsin molecule triggers a sequence of chemical processes leading to a change in the membrane voltage of the photoreceptor. The mechanism of this light-induced voltage change is different in vertebrates and invertebrates. Light causes a hyperpolarization in vertebrates, but a depolarization in invertebrate photoreceptors.

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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