A purple protein in certain bacteria that captures light energy and uses it to pump ions across the cell membrane.
From bacterio- (bacteria) + rhodopsin (Greek rhodon, 'rose' + opsis, 'sight'). Named for the purple color and light-sensing ability similar to animal visual pigments.
Bacteriorhodopsin in salt-loving bacteria proves that photosynthesis doesn't need chloroplasts—these bacteria literally use light as an energy source just like plants do, and scientists are now using it to create biohybrid solar cells!
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