Visual cycle

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Visual cycle

Visual cycle is a biological process that allows for the continuous and cyclic conversion of light into electrical signals, which are then interpreted by the brain as vision. This process is essential for the maintenance of visual function and is carried out in the retina of the eye.

Overview

The visual cycle involves a series of biochemical reactions, which take place in the photoreceptor cells of the retina. These reactions convert the photon energy absorbed by the photoreceptor cells into electrical signals. The process begins with the absorption of light by the rhodopsin molecule, a light-sensitive receptor found in the rod cells of the retina. This absorption triggers a change in the shape of the rhodopsin molecule, initiating the visual cycle.

Process

The visual cycle can be divided into several steps:

1. Absorption of light: The process begins when a photon of light is absorbed by the rhodopsin molecule in the rod cells. This absorption causes a change in the shape of the rhodopsin molecule, converting it from its inactive form, known as 11-cis-retinal, to its active form, known as all-trans-retinal.
2. Activation of transducin: The activated rhodopsin molecule then interacts with a protein called transducin, triggering its activation.
3. Activation of phosphodiesterase: The activated transducin then activates another protein called phosphodiesterase, which breaks down cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), a molecule that plays a crucial role in the visual signal transduction pathway.
4. Hyperpolarization of the cell membrane: The decrease in cGMP levels causes the sodium channels in the cell membrane to close, leading to the hyperpolarization of the cell membrane and the generation of an electrical signal.
5. Transmission of the signal to the brain: The electrical signal is then transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve, where it is interpreted as vision.

Role in vision

The visual cycle plays a crucial role in vision by allowing the continuous conversion of light into electrical signals. This process is essential for the maintenance of visual function and is responsible for our ability to see in different light conditions. Defects in the visual cycle can lead to various visual disorders, including night blindness and retinitis pigmentosa.

See also

• Photoreceptor cell
• Rhodopsin
• Transducin
• Phosphodiesterase
• Retina