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IN WHICH LIGHT DO RHODOPSIN DISSOCIATES INTO RETINAL AND OPSIN? IN DIM LIGHT OR INTENSE LIGHT? |
Rhodopsins belong to the G-protein-coupled receptor family and are extremely sensitive to light. It is broken down by the action of dim light into retinal and opsin. Rod cells (of which there are around 100 million) detect the degree of lightness entering the eye and their sensitivity is dependent on the amount of Rhodopsin present which is itself generated within the cells. However, Rhodopsin is destroyed by bleaching on exposure to light and therefore rod cells only work in low light. |