Differences in transduction between rod and cone photoreceptors: an exploration of the role of calcium homeostasis

Changes in the cytoplasmic concentration of Ca2+ in cones are far larger and faster than in rods.

• Rod and cone photoreceptors have similar but distinct enzymes in their light response pathways.
• The volume of the cell influences how each type of photoreceptor maintains Ca2+ levels.
• Rods and cones differ in the speed of clearing Ca2+ from their outer segments.
• The way Ca2+ is buffered in the cytoplasm varies between rods and cones.
• Ca2+ enters through cGMP-gated ion channels at different rates in rods and cones.

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