Light and Life review

Light

Electromagnetic radiation detectable by human eyes, can be considered as a wave of photons.

Pigments

Molecules that absorb light energy, crucial for processes like photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis

Dominant process converting light energy into carbohydrates, using pigments to capture light.

Photoreceptor

Consists of a pigment molecule (retinal) bound to a protein opsin, like rhodopsin.

Eyespot

Found in C. reinhardtii, helps sense light direction and intensity for phototaxis.

Vision

Process involving the eye sensing light, with the brain interpreting signals for vision.

Ocellus

Simplest eye found in planarians, enables sensing light direction and intensity.

Circadian Rhythms

Physiological responses to daily light changes, found in all life forms for adaptation.

Bioluminescence

Ability of organisms to produce light using chemical energy for various purposes.