Visual phototransduction

Visual phototransduction is the process by which light is converted into electrical signals in the eye, enabling us to see. When light hits the retina's rod and cone cells, it activates a pigment called rhodopsin (in rods) or similar pigments (in cones). This activation triggers a chemical change that begins a cascade of reactions, ultimately reducing a specific molecule called cGMP. Lower cGMP levels cause ion channels to close, leading to a change in the cell's electrical charge. This electrical signal is transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve, allowing us to perceive visual images.