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Photoreceptor Cells of the Retina: Signalling of Light

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Functional Ultrastructure
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Abstract

Photoreceptor cells are part of the inner sensory retina and become activated by light. Two major types of photoreceptor cells exist, which reside in specific regions in the retina. The rod cells, which contain the photopigment rhodopsin and occupy the periphery of the retina, are exceptionally sensitive to low light levels and specialised for night vision. The cone cells occupy central parts of the retina and are specialised for high resolution at high light levels and for colour detection. Three types of cone cells exist based on the photopigment they contain, which permits discrimination of blue, green, and red.

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© 2010 Springer-Verlag/Wien

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Pavelka, M., Roth, J. (2010). Photoreceptor Cells of the Retina: Signalling of Light. In: Functional Ultrastructure. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-99390-3_120

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