bacteriorhodopsin

noun

bac·​te·​ri·​o·​rho·​dop·​sin bak-ˌtir-ē-ə-rō-ˈdäp-sin 

: a purple-pigmented protein that is found in the outer membrane of a bacterium (Halobacterium salinarium synonym H. halobium) and that converts light energy into chemical energy in the synthesis of ATP

Word History

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

bacteriorhodopsin

noun

bac·​te·​ri·​o·​rho·​dop·​sin bak-ˌtir-ē-ō-rō-ˈdäp-sən 

: a purple-pigmented protein that is found in the outer membrane of a bacterium (Halobacterium salinarium synonym H. halobium) and that converts light energy into chemical energy in the synthesis of ATP