Rhodopsin particles in the photoreceptor membrane of an insect.
Electron-microscopic examination of freeze-fractured fly retinae has revealed the presence of particles, 80 to 100 A in diameter, on the photoreceptor membrane. Flies which were raised on a vitamin-A deficient diet show a substantial reduction in the density of such particles. The reduction in particle density is in agreement with the reduction in visual-pigment concentration as measured spectrophotometrically for these flies. These results suggest that the particles are identical with molecules of the visual pigment, rhodopsin.
D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004175:Diptera; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012168:Retinal Pigments / Q000378:metabolism*; D012243:Rhodopsin / Q000378:metabolism*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000378:metabolism
D012168:Retinal Pigments; D012243:Rhodopsin