Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

rhabdom

noun
ˈræb.dəm
Definition
A rhabdom is a slender rod-like structure found in certain organisms, particularly in relation to sensory cells that help in detecting light.
Examples
  • The rhabdom in the compound eyes of insects plays a crucial role in their ability to see movement.
  • Researchers studied the rhabdom structure to understand the evolutionary adaptations in animal vision.
  • Some marine organisms possess rhabdoms that enable them to detect bioluminescence in their surroundings.
Meaning
Rhabdom refers to the grouping of light-sensitive cells that form part of the photoreceptors in simple eyes of invertebrates, helping them perceive light and sometimes suggest direction.
Synonyms
  • photoreceptive rod
  • light-sensitive structure