Wiktionary
n. (context biochemistry English) Any of a group of light-sensitive proteins in the retina
WordNet
n. retinal protein formed by the action of light on rhodopsin
Wikipedia
Opsins are a group of light-sensitive proteins found in photoreceptor cells of the retina. Five classical groups of opsins are involved in vision, mediating the conversion of a photon of light into an electrochemical signal, the first step in the visual transduction cascade. Another opsin found in the mammalian retina, melanopsin, is involved in circadian rhythms and pupillary reflex but not in image-forming.
Usage examples of "opsin".
The molecule of rhodopsin is made up of two parts: a protein, opsin, and a nonprotein portion, very similar in structure to vitamin A, which is retinene.
The shape of cis-retinene is such that it can combine with opsin to form rhodopsin, whereas trans-retinene cannot.
In the presence of light, cis-retinene is converted to trans-retinene and, if it already makes up part of the rhodopsin molecule, it falls off, leaving the largely colorless opsin behind.
In the dark, trans-retinene changes into cis-retinene and joins opsin once more to form the rhodopsin.
He had, however, spent days on the flight deck of one while acting as an advisor to the South African Defense Force on antiterrorist opsin Angola and Namibia back in 1983.
Somebody just posted to the net a be list of all our sub-rosa opsin the Euro-Asian theaters.
The molecule of rhodopsin is made up of two parts: a protein, opsin, and a nonprotein portion, very similar in structure to vitamin A, which is retinene.