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Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways01:22

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category, whereas...
Gene Duplication and Divergence02:37

Gene Duplication and Divergence

The seminal work of Ohno in 1970 popularized the idea of gene duplication and divergence. DNA sequence comparison studies reveal that a large portion of the genes in bacteria, archaebacteria, and eukaryotes was  generated by gene duplication and divergence, indicating its critical role in evolution.
The duplicated copies of the gene are called Paralogs. Paralogs with similar sequences and functions form a gene family. Across several species, a large number of gene families are characterized.
Anatomy of the Eyeball01:20

Anatomy of the Eyeball

The eye is a spherical, hollow structure composed of three tissue layers. The outer layer — the fibrous tunic, comprises the sclera — a white structure — and the cornea, which is transparent. The sclera encompasses some of the ocular surface, most of which is not visible. However, the 'white of the eye' is distinctively visible in humans compared to other species. The cornea, a clear covering at the front of the eye, enables light penetration. The eye's middle layer, the vascular tunic,...
Color Vision01:24

Color Vision

Color perception begins in the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Two main theories explain how colors are seen: the trichromatic theory and the opponent-process theory. The trichromatic theory, proposed by Thomas Young in 1802 and extended by Hermann von Helmholtz in 1852, suggests that color vision is based on three types of cone receptors in the retina. These cones are sensitive to different but overlapping ranges of wavelengths corresponding to red, blue, and green.
Vision01:24

Vision

Vision is the result of light being detected and transduced into neural signals by the retina of the eye. This information is then further analyzed and interpreted by the brain. First, light enters the front of the eye and is focused by the cornea and lens onto the retina—a thin sheet of neural tissue lining the back of the eye. Because of refraction through the convex lens of the eye, images are projected onto the retina upside-down and reversed.
Evolution of New Traits in Microbes01:24

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Determination of Photoreceptor Cell Spectral Sensitivity in an Insect Model from In Vivo Intracellular Recordings
08:33

Determination of Photoreceptor Cell Spectral Sensitivity in an Insect Model from In Vivo Intracellular Recordings

Published on: February 26, 2016

Evolution of vertebrate visual pigments.

James K Bowmaker1

  • 1Department of Visual Science, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, Bath Street, London EC1V 9EL, UK. j.bowmaker@ucl.ac.uk

Vision Research
|July 2, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Vertebrate visual pigments evolved over 500 million years ago. Gene duplication led to diverse opsin classes, with some lost in certain animal groups during evolution.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Molecular biology
  • Vision science

Background:

  • Vertebrate visual pigments evolved ~500 million years ago, preceding jaw development.
  • Opsin evolution involved gene duplication, establishing distinct cone and rod classes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the evolutionary history and diversification of visual opsins in vertebrates.
  • To understand the distribution of opsin classes across different vertebrate lineages.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative genomics analysis of opsin gene families.
  • Phylogenetic reconstruction of opsin evolution.

Main Results:

  • Four spectrally distinct cone opsin classes evolved via gene duplication.

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Last Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Determination of Photoreceptor Cell Spectral Sensitivity in an Insect Model from In Vivo Intracellular Recordings
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Determination of Photoreceptor Cell Spectral Sensitivity in an Insect Model from In Vivo Intracellular Recordings

Published on: February 26, 2016

A Bioinformatics Pipeline for Investigating Molecular Evolution and Gene Expression using RNA-seq
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A Bioinformatics Pipeline for Investigating Molecular Evolution and Gene Expression using RNA-seq

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Preparation of Living Isolated Vertebrate Photoreceptor Cells for Fluorescence Imaging
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Preparation of Living Isolated Vertebrate Photoreceptor Cells for Fluorescence Imaging

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  • Rod opsin evolved from a middle-wave-sensitive cone opsin.
  • Teleost fish, reptiles, and birds retain all four cone classes; primitive fish, amphibians, and mammals show losses.
  • Teleosts exhibit further cone opsin gene duplication, enabling temporal and spatial expression during development.
  • Conclusions:

    • Opsin gene duplication is a key mechanism driving visual pigment evolution in vertebrates.
    • Differential loss and expansion of opsin classes correlate with vertebrate phylogeny and ecological adaptation.
    • Opsin diversity in teleosts supports complex visual processing and adaptation to varied light environments.