photoreceptor
1 of 1noun/ˌfoʊtoʊrɪˈsɛptər/
Forms:photoreceptors
1
a part of a living thing, such as a cell or protein, that senses light and helps the body or plant respond to it
- The eye has photoreceptors that detect light and color.
- Plants use photoreceptors to know when to grow.
- Some animals have simple photoreceptors to sense day and night.
- Photoreceptors help seeds know when to sprout.
- Damage to photoreceptors can affect vision.