Final answer:
Rods and cones are the photoreceptor cells containing photosensitive pigments that are crucial for light detection and color vision in the retina.
Step-by-step explanation:
​Photoreceptor cells known as rods and cones are single cells that contain photosensitive pigment and are responsible for light detection in the retina. Rods are highly sensitive to light and do not provide color information, making them crucial for vision in low light conditions and detecting movement. Cones, on the other hand, are less sensitive to light but are responsible for color vision, with each type of cone containing pigments that are sensitive to different wavelengths of light corresponding to blue, green, or red.
The rod photoreceptors contain a stack of membrane-bound discs with the photosensitive pigment rhodopsin. In contrast, the cone-shaped outer segments of the cone photoreceptors contain their photosensitive pigments in infoldings of the cell membrane. These structures allow for the perception of light intensity and color, providing critical information for our sense of sight.