Definition

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

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above

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

First Known Use

1971, in the meaning defined above