photoreceptor cells
noun
Meaning
Specialized sensory neurons in the retina that convert light energy into electrical signals for the brain to process as vision.
Examples
- The human retina contains two main types of photoreceptor cells known as rods and cones.
- Damage to photoreceptor cells is the primary cause of vision loss in conditions like macular degeneration.
Synonyms: rods and cones, visual receptors, sensory neurons