Photoreceptor can refer to:
In anatomy/cell biology:
- Photoreceptor cell: a photosensitive cell in the retina of vertebrate eyes
- Simple eyes in arthropods (Ocellus), photoreceptor organ ("simple eye") of invertebrates often composed of a few sensory cells and a single lens
- Eyespot apparatus (microbial photoreceptor): the photoreceptor organelle of a unicellular organism that allows for phototaxis
In biochemistry:
- Photoreceptor protein: a chromoprotein that responds to being exposed to a certain wavelength of light by initiating a signal transduction cascade
- Photopigment: an unstable pigment that undergoes a physical or chemical change upon absorbing a particular wavelength of light; also see
- Photosynthetic pigment: molecules involved in transducing light into chemical energy
In technology:
- Photodetector or photosensor: a device that detects light by capturing photons
- Electronic Photoreceptor:Sensor that converts solar energy into electric energy