Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026

Electrophysiological Methods for Measuring Photopigment Levels in Drosophila Photoreceptors
Published on: June 2, 2022
Rapid photopigment conversions in blowfly visual sense cells consequences for receptor potential and pupillary
1Biophysical Department, Laboratorium voor Algemene Natuurkunde, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Combined optical and electrophysiological experiments on the kinetics of visual pigment conversions in blowfly and the resulting pupillary response and late receptor potential are described. The photometrically detectable conversions of rhodopsin and metarhodopsin in the living wild type fly are completed within 0.5 ms. Prolonged pupillary responses and receptor potentials occur upon intense blue flashes. Subsequent intense red flashes abolish the prolonged responses in the case of both membrane potential and the pupil. The interrelation of potential and pupil is discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
Anatomy of the Eyeball
The Retina
Vision
Photoreceptors and Plant Responses to Light
Channel Rhodopsins
Rhodopsins belong to the family of cell surface proteins called G-protein coupled receptors,...

