The chemical formula for Retinal is C₂₀H₂₈O.
While the retina is a complex biological tissue in the eye responsible for detecting light, the provided reference details information about Retinal, a specific chemical compound crucial for vision. Retinal is a form of Vitamin A aldehyde that combines with proteins called opsins to form rhodopsin (in rods) and photopsins (in cones). When light hits these molecules, Retinal changes shape, initiating the signal sent to the brain.
Based on the information from the reference, here are some key properties of Retinal:
Properties of Retinal
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | C₂₀H₂₈O |
| Molar mass | 284.443 g·mol⁻¹ |
| Appearance | Orange crystals from petroleum ether |
| Melting point | 61 to 64 °C (142 to 147 °F; 334 to 337 K) |
Retinal exists in different isomeric forms, primarily all-trans-Retinal and 11-cis-Retinal, which play specific roles in the visual cycle. The formula C₂₀H₂₈O represents the elemental composition regardless of the specific isomer.
It's important to distinguish between the retina (the organ) and Retinal (the molecule). The formula C₂₀H₂₈O refers specifically to the chemical composition of the Retinal molecule.
