Primary Events in Vision.
Abstract
Experiments on iodopsin and bacteriorhodopsin (which have thermal transitions from batho-iodopsin and batho-bacteriorhodopsin back to iodopsin and bacteriorhodopsin) suggest that light energy is stored as a result of the interaction of a photon with rhodopsin. Resonance Raman spectra of the batho intermediate in several rhodopsins indicate that the -C=NH+ stretching vibration does not vary in going from rhodopsin to bathorhodopsin and this suggests that there is still a double bond between C15 and N, and a positive charge on the N after the photonic event. Furthermore the C-CH3 vibration indicates that in bathorhodopsin there are changes in the vicinity of the CH3 groups, and it is interesting to note that these carbons are tertiary centers which can stabilize charge. Finally, even though the -C=NH+ vibration does not appear to be affected by the light event the C=C stretching vibration is significantly altered. These results indicate that light energy appears to be stored in a charge polarized state and at least in bacteriorhodopsin light emission is quenched in this state.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 04, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA075458
Entities
People
- Aaron Lewis
Organizations
- Cornell University