Photoreceptor

Photoreceptor can refer to:

In anatomy/cell biology:

  • Photoreceptor cell, a photosensitive cell in the retina of vertebrate eyes
  • Simple eye in invertebrates (Ocellus), photoreceptor organ ("simple eye") of invertebrates often composed of a few sensory cells and a single lens
  • Eyespot apparatus (microbial photoreceptor), the photoreceptor organelle of a unicellular organism that allows for phototaxis

In biochemistry:

  • Photoreceptor protein, a chromoprotein that responds to being exposed to a certain wavelength of light by initiating a signal transduction cascade
  • Photopigment, an unstable pigment that undergoes a physical or chemical change upon absorbing a particular wavelength of light; also see

In technology:

  • Photodetector or photosensor, a device that detects light by capturing photons