Chemicals and Drugs

Retinal Pigments

Photosensitive protein complexes of varied light absorption properties which are expressed in the PHOTORECEPTOR CELLS. They are OPSINS conjugated with VITAMIN A-based chromophores. Chromophores capture photons of light, leading to the activation of opsins and a biochemical cascade that ultimately excites the photoreceptor cells.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Photosensitive protein complexes of varied light absorption properties which are expressed in the PHOTORECEPTOR CELLS. They are OPSINS conjugated with VITAMIN A-based chromophores. Chromophores capture photons of light, leading to the activation of opsins and a biochemical cascade that ultimately excites the photoreceptor cells.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Narrower headings

Related Concepts

Knowledge Graph

Loading graph…

Drag nodes to rearrange; hover to trace links; click a node to open its page.

MeSH Record

See Also

MeSH Record

Synonyms

13 entry terms
  • Retinal Photoreceptor Pigment
  • Retinal Photoreceptor Pigments
  • Retinal Pigment
  • Visual Pigment
  • Visual Pigments
  • Photoreceptor Pigment, Retinal
  • Photoreceptor Pigments, Retinal
  • Pigment, Retinal
  • Pigment, Retinal Photoreceptor
  • Pigment, Visual
  • Pigments, Retinal
  • Pigments, Retinal Photoreceptor
  • Pigments, Visual

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

28 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, deficiency, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

not for deposition of pigments in the retina (= RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. D23.767w.930

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

WW 270

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Retinal Pigments. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D012168. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D012168
  2. Retinal Pigments. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q48790495