photophore Definition
- 1a light-producing organ or structure in certain marine animals, such as squid and fish
- 2a specialized cell or group of cells that produce light in some bioluminescent organisms
Using photophore: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "photophore" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The photophores on the underside of the squid's body glow in the dark.
Example
The deep-sea anglerfish has a long spine with a photophore at the end to attract prey.
Example
Bioluminescent dinoflagellates have photophores that emit blue-green light when disturbed.
photophore Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for photophore
- light organ
- luminous organ
Phrases with photophore
counterillumination photophores
photophores that emit light to match the ambient light, making the animal less visible to predators
Example
The lanternfish uses counterillumination photophores to blend in with the surrounding water and avoid detection.
ventral photophores
photophores located on the underside of an animal's body
Example
The hatchetfish has ventral photophores that help it camouflage from predators below.
bioluminescent photophores
photophores that produce light through a chemical reaction within the organism
Example
The firefly squid has bioluminescent photophores that emit a blue light to attract mates.
Origins of photophore
from Greek 'phos' meaning 'light' and 'pherein' meaning 'to bear'
Summary: photophore in Brief
A 'photophore' [ˈfoʊtəˌfɔr] is a light-producing organ or structure found in certain marine animals, such as squid and fish. It can also refer to specialized cells that produce light in some bioluminescent organisms. Examples include the photophores on the underside of a squid's body, the long spine of a deep-sea anglerfish, and bioluminescent dinoflagellates. Photophores can be classified into types such as counterillumination, ventral, and bioluminescent.
