light-dependent

Requires brightness functioning

Light-dependent describes something that requires light to function or occur.

The term appears most often in biology, where light-dependent reactions are the first stage of photosynthesis—the chemical processes that need light energy to proceed.

Light-dependent plants won't thrive in shaded areas.

The opposite is light-independent.

photosynthesis

chlorophyll

Light-harvesting plant pigment

chloroplastLight-harvesting cell structure
pigmentColor-imparting material
stomataMicroscopic plant pores

autotroph · plastid · green plants · algae

biological

photoreceptor

Cell responding to light

circadian rhythmBuilt-in sleep-wake cycle
phototropismGrowth response to illumination
melatoninCircadian rhythm regulator

retina · photosensitive · photoperiod · vision · eye · rod cells · photomorphogenesis · photobiology

technological

solar panel

Light-to-power converter

photovoltaicLight-to-electricity converting
photodiodeLight-to-current semiconductor
photoresistorComponent resisting less when bright

solar cell · photoelectric · camera sensor · photoconductor · optical sensor · image sensor · photodetector · CCD · CMOS · exposure meter

Opposites

reliance on light

light-dependentdark-adapted

Adjusted to see in dimness

photophobic · scotopic · aphotic

energy/stimulus source

light-dependentthermophilic

Requiring high temperatures

autonomy from environmental conditions

light-dependentautonomous

Self-directed and free

self-sufficient · independent · self-regulating · endogenous

Family

light, dependent, lights, lighted, lighting, lighter, lightest, lighten, lightness

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G