Cilia are microtubule-based extensions of the plasma membrane of cells.
These extensions detect extrinsic cues that are crucial for carrying out a myriad of
developmental and homeostatic signaling cascades. Cilia have evolved diverse means
to mediate signaling cascades in a cell-type specific manner. In this article, I have
summarized the conserved mechanisms of formation of cilia and their structural and
functional specialization for light detection.
Keywords: Basal body, Cilia, Photoreceptor, Retina.
