Controlling physical or chemical properties of molecules by external signals, for example light, is a popular subject of current research. Much work is inspired by natural systems that use light as an energy source (e.g. in photosynthesis, in bacteriaion pumps) or as information to regulate biological processes (e.g. photomovement. photomorphogenesis). Specifically, in the process of vision light-irradiation causes a cis -trans isomeriza-tion of retinal that induces a conformational change in the conjugated protein. The change of molecular shape initiates an enzymatic cascade that ultimately leads to a neural response.
展开▼
