chromatophore Definition
- 1a pigment-containing cell or group of cells that is responsible for the coloration of many animals, such as cephalopods, fish, and reptiles
- 2a specialized pigment-bearing organelle in certain photosynthetic bacteria
Using chromatophore: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "chromatophore" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The chromatophores in the squid's skin allow it to change color rapidly.
Example
The chameleon's ability to change color is due to its specialized chromatophores.
Example
The photosynthetic bacteria contain chromatophores that are responsible for capturing light energy.
chromatophore Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for chromatophore
- chromophore
- pigment cell
- color cell
Phrases with chromatophore
a type of chromatophore that contains reflecting platelets instead of pigments, producing iridescent colors
Example
The shimmering blue-green color of the peacock's feathers is produced by iridophores.
a type of chromatophore that contains yellow pigments
Example
The bright yellow color of the goldfish is produced by xanthophores.
a type of chromatophore that contains red pigments
Example
The red coloration of some fish is produced by erythrophores.
Origins of chromatophore
from Greek 'chromato-' meaning 'color' + '-phore' meaning 'bearer'
Summary: chromatophore in Brief
A 'chromatophore' [kroh-muh-tuh-fawr] is a cell or group of cells that contain pigments responsible for the coloration of many animals, such as cephalopods, fish, and reptiles. It can also refer to a specialized pigment-bearing organelle in certain photosynthetic bacteria. Examples include the squid's ability to change color rapidly due to its chromatophores and the iridescent colors produced by iridophores.
