chromatophore: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Specialised/Technical)Scientific/Technical
Quick answer
What does “chromatophore” mean?
A specialized pigment-containing cell in animals, especially in skin, capable of expanding or contracting to change colour.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specialized pigment-containing cell in animals, especially in skin, capable of expanding or contracting to change colour.
In botany and microbiology, a plastid containing coloured pigment other than chlorophyll. Also, in some technical contexts, a dye-containing part of an organism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or spelling. Both variants use the same term in identical scientific contexts.
Connotations
None beyond the technical scientific meaning.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both variants, used almost exclusively in scientific literature and education.
Grammar
How to Use “chromatophore” in a Sentence
The [animal] possesses chromatophores.Chromatophores in the [skin] are controlled by [nerves/hormones].The expansion of the chromatophore caused a colour change.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chromatophore” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The cuttlefish can rapidly chromatophore its skin to match the seabed.
- The process of chromatophoring is neuraly controlled.
American English
- The octopus chromatophores its skin in milliseconds.
- Scientists study how the animal chromatophores.
adverb
British English
- The pattern changed chromatophorically.
- The skin responded chromatophorically to the stimulus.
American English
- The colour spread chromatophorically across its mantle.
- The signal was transmitted chromatophorically fast.
adjective
British English
- The chromatophoric response was recorded on high-speed film.
- They studied the chromatophoral distribution.
American English
- The chromatophoric cells are incredibly complex.
- Chromatophoral activity is key to camouflage.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in biology, zoology, marine biology, and botany papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary domain of use; describes colour-changing mechanisms in animals and pigmented structures in plants and microorganisms.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chromatophore”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chromatophore”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chromatophore”
- Misspelling as 'chromotaphore' or 'chromataphor'.
- Confusing it with 'chloroplast' (for photosynthesis).
- Using it as a general term for any colour, rather than the specific cell organelle.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Its main function is to change the colour or pattern of the animal's skin for purposes like camouflage, communication, or thermoregulation.
No. A chromatophore is a general term for a pigment-containing cell or organelle, often in animals. A chloroplast is a specific type of plastid in plant cells that contains chlorophyll for photosynthesis.
Humans have melanocytes, which are a type of pigment cell, but they are not typically referred to as chromatophores in common biological terminology. Chromatophore is more specific to animals with rapid, active colour change.
In British English: /krə(ʊ)ˈmatəfɔː/. In American English: /kroʊˈmætəˌfɔːr/. The stress is on the second syllable.
A specialized pigment-containing cell in animals, especially in skin, capable of expanding or contracting to change colour.
Chromatophore is usually scientific/technical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. This is a technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of CHROMA (colour) + PHORE (bearer/carrier). A chromatophore is a 'colour-bearer' in cells.
Conceptual Metaphor
A living pixel; a biological ink sac; a microscopic paint pot controlled by nerves.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'chromatophore' most commonly used?