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pigment epithelium

the single layer of pigmented cells that abuts the tips of the photoreceptors in the retina. The pigment in the cells reduces light scatter by absorbing photons that elude the photopigments in the photoreceptors. The pigment epithelium is also critical for the health of the photoreceptors because it phagocytoses (engulfs) discarded disks of membrane that are continually shed by the photoreceptors. Also called retinal pigment epithelium (RPE).

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Psychology term of the day

January 19th 2025

novelty seeking

novelty seeking

1. a personality trait characterized by a strong interest in having new experiences; it is often associated with risk-taking behavior, and hence the term may be used synonymously with sensation seeking. It is also increasingly the preferred term for neophilia.

2. see Cloninger’s psychobiological model of personality; Temperament and Character Inventory.