a red pigment in the rods of the retina in vertebrates. It is dissociated by light into retinene, the light energy being converted into nerve signals, and is re-formed in the dark
Also called: visual purple. See also iodopsin
Word origin
C20: from rhodo- + -opsis + -in
rhodopsin in American English
(roʊˈdɑpsɪn)
noun
a purplish, photosensitive protein pigment that is essential for vision in dim light, found in the rods of the retina
see opsin
Word origin
< Gr rhodon, a rose (see Rhoda) + opsis, sight (see -opsis) + -in1