The visual system consists of a network of molecular processes that enable us to detect and perceive light, form images, and interpret visual information. From the capture of photons by photoreceptor cells in the retina to the processing of visual signals in the brain, various molecular components play critical roles in its functioning. Vision begins with photoreceptor cells in the retina using two types of photoreceptor cells: cones and rods. Cones are responsible for colour vision, whilst rods provide black-and-white vision. Cones and rods contain light-sensitive proteins called opsins, the crucial component of phototransduction. Different types of opsins are sensitive to different wavelengths of light, allowing us to perceive various colours. Phototransduction is the process by which light is converted into electrical signals in photoreceptor cells. When photons of light strike the retina, they are absorbed by the opsins triggering a cascade of events resulting in the activation of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) called photoreceptor opsins. Photoreceptors synapse with bipolar cells, which are the second layer of neurons in the retina. Bipolar cells help in the processing and transmission of visual signals from the photoreceptors to the ganglion cells. Ganglion cells are the output neurons of the retina, receiving signals from bipolar cells. They generate the action potentials which convey visual information to the brain. Horizontal and amacrine cells are interneurons in the retina that play roles in lateral inhibition and other forms of visual processing. They help in sharpening visual contrast and modulating signals between photoreceptor, bipolar, and ganglion cells. The axons of ganglion cells converge to form the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the retina to the brain. The optic nerve fibres exit the eye at the optic disc, creating a blind spot in the visual field. At the optic chiasm, some of the optic nerve fibres cross over to the opposite side of the brain, allowing visual information from both eyes to be processed in both cerebral hemispheres. The optic nerve fibres project to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) in the thalamus. The LGN is involved in the initial processing and relay of visual information to the primary visual cortex. The primary visual cortex, also known as V1 or the striate cortex, is in the occipital lobe at the back of the brain. V1 is organized into a retinotopic map, where adjacent regions in the visual field are represented by adjacent regions in V1. Different areas of V1 process specific aspects of visual information, such as orientation, colour, and motion. Beyond V1, visual information is transmitted to higher visual association areas in the brain, including V2, V3, and V4. These areas are involved in more complex visual processing, such as object recognition, visual memory, and scene perception. Molecular mechanisms underlie visual adaptation, where the visual system adjusts its sensitivity to different levels of light. Adaptation helps vision to function optimally under varying lighting conditions. Additional processes underlie visual plasticity, enabling the visual system to undergo changes in response to visual experiences and environmental factors. We provide a wide product range of research tools for investigating the visual system, including CD147 antibodies, MERTK antibodies, Calnexin antibodies, Alpha B Crystallin ELISA Kits, and CD147 ELISA Kits. Explore our full visual system product range below and discover more, for less.