**Core Concept**
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of genetic disorders affecting the retina's ability to respond to light, leading to progressive vision loss. It is characterized by night blindness, loss of peripheral vision, and eventual central vision loss. The underlying pathophysiology involves degeneration of photoreceptor cells (rods and cones) in the retina.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is related to the genetic and molecular basis of RP. RP is primarily caused by mutations in genes encoding proteins essential for phototransduction, such as rhodopsin, peripherin, and others involved in the visual cycle. These mutations disrupt the function of photoreceptor cells, leading to their degeneration. The most common genetic basis of RP is autosomal dominant inheritance, but it can also be autosomal recessive or X-linked.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
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**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Retinitis pigmentosa is a classic example of a "diseases of the night" syndrome, where patients experience significant visual impairment in low-light conditions. This is due to the preferential degeneration of rod photoreceptors, which are more sensitive to dim light than cones.

**Correct Answer:**