Outer segment

The outer segment is a part of photoreceptor cells in the retina of the eye that detects light. It contains stacks of tiny, light-sensitive molecules called photopigments embedded in disc-like structures. When light enters the eye, these photopigments change, initiating a signal that is sent to the brain to create visual images. The outer segment plays a crucial role in converting light into electrical signals, allowing us to see. It is specialized for capturing and processing light information, forming the first step in the complex process of vision.