phototransduction
Pronunciation: FOH-toh-trans-DUK-shun
The biochemical process by which photoreceptors convert light energy into electrical signals for neural transmission.
Full Definition
Phototransduction is the fundamental process occurring in retinal photoreceptors (rods and cones) whereby light photons are converted into electrical signals that can be processed by the nervous system. This cascade involves the activation of rhodopsin or cone opsins, leading to changes in cyclic GMP levels and subsequent hyperpolarization of the photoreceptor membrane. Understanding this process is crucial for comprehending various inherited retinal dystrophies and photoreceptor-related visual disorders that present in neuro-ophthalmology practice.
Usage
Usage note: Essential concept for understanding retinal physiology and inherited retinal diseases.
In Context
- "The patient's symptoms suggested a defect in phototransduction affecting rod function specifically." — genetic counseling report
- "Electroretinography revealed abnormal phototransduction in both photopic and scotopic conditions." — electrophysiology report