What type of cells are specialized to sense or receive light?

Photoreceptors are specialized cells that detect and respond to light stimuli in the visual system, playing a crucial role in vision. They convert light into electrical signals, which can then be processed by other cells in the eye and ultimately sent to the brain for interpretation as images. The two main types of photoreceptors are rods and cones. Rods are responsible for vision in low-light conditions, while cones function in brighter light and are responsible for color vision and detail.

While neurons and sensory neurons are involved in transmitting signals, they are not exclusively designed to sense light. Neurons encompass a broader category of cells that can transmit various types of signals in the nervous system, and sensory neurons are involved in processing a range of sensory inputs beyond just light. The specific adaptation of photoreceptors to respond directly to light makes them the accurate and precise answer in this context.