photoreceptor
/ˌfoʊtoʊrɪˈsɛptər/
noun
- A cell or structure in the eye that reacts to light and sends signals to the brain, allowing vision.
- When light hits the photoreceptors in your eyes, they send electrical signals to your brain.
- Damage to the photoreceptors can cause vision problems or blindness.
- The human retina contains millions of photoreceptors that detect light and color.
- Any biological cell or molecule that responds to light, such as in plants or simple organisms.
- Scientists study photoreceptors in algae to understand how life evolved to use light.
- Some bacteria use photoreceptors to sense changes in light for survival.
- Plants have photoreceptors that help them grow toward sunlight.