chromatophore

[ kruh-mat-uh-fawr, -fohr, kroh-muh-tuh‑ ]

noun

1. Zoology. a cell containing pigment, especially one that through contraction and expansion produces a temporary color, as in cuttlefishes.
2. Botany. one of the colored plastids in plant cells.

chromatophore

/ ˈkrəʊmətəˌfɔː; ˌkrəʊməˈtɒfərəs /

noun

1. a cell in the skin of frogs, chameleons, etc, in which pigment is concentrated or dispersed, causing the animal to change colour
2. another name for chromoplast

Derived Forms

• ˌchromatoˈphoric, adjective

Other Words From

• chro·mat·o·phor·ic [kr, uh, -mat-, uh, -, fawr, -ik, ‑-, for, -ik, kroh, -m, uh, -t, uh, ‑], chro·ma·toph·or·ous [kroh-m, uh, -, tof, -er-, uh, s], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chromatophore¹

First recorded in 1860–65; chromato- + -phore

Example Sentences

The pyrenoid is evidently concerned in the formation of the chromatophore, or in its division.

From Project Gutenberg

The cell-wall and the chromatophore bands divide, each nucleus passes to the centre, and two new cells are formed.

From Project Gutenberg

In C. pediculus, a single chromatophore occurs on the inside of the upper valve.

From Project Gutenberg

Schmitz states that the chromatophore is thickened in the middle and contains a pyrenoid.

From Project Gutenberg

Chromatophore single, covering the entire interior of the frustule, except the ventral part of the zone and the median lines.

From Project Gutenberg