Photoreceptor Cells (Photosensitive Cells)
A photoreceptor cell is a specialized type of neuron found in the retina. Photoreceptors convert light into signals that can stimulate biological processes. The two classic photoreceptor cells are rods and cones, each contributing information used by the visual system.
Part of: Retina
About Photoreceptors
Photoreceptors are cells in the retina that begin the process of seeing. They absorb and convert light into electrical signals. These signals are sent to other cells in the retina and ultimately through the optic nerve to the brain where they are processed into the images we see.
There are two general types of photoreceptors, called rods and cones. Rods are in the outer regions of the retina, and allow us to see in dim and dark light. Cones reside mostly in the central portion of the retina, and allow us to perceive fine visual detail and color. NIH – National Eye Institute