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Photoreceptor Cells of the Retina: Light-Induced Apoptosis

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Functional Ultrastructure

Abstract

Photoreceptor cells are highly polarised and specialised cells unable to undergo mitotic division. However, they show the remarkable phenomenon that part of it, the light sensitive rod and cone outer segments, are continuously renewed whereas the remainder of the cells is relatively stable. In panel A, the fine structural organisation of rod outer segments is shown. It consists of parallel arranged, densely packed membrane discs that in rods are separated from the plasma membrane (inset in panel A). The space between the apical parts of the outer segments is filled with processes of the pigment epithelium.

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Pavelka, M., Roth, J. (2010). Photoreceptor Cells of the Retina: Light-Induced Apoptosis. In: Functional Ultrastructure. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-99390-3_121

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