melanophore: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “melanophore” mean?
A type of pigment cell in animals, especially fish, amphibians, and reptiles, that contains melanin and can expand or contract to change skin colour.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of pigment cell in animals, especially fish, amphibians, and reptiles, that contains melanin and can expand or contract to change skin colour.
A chromatophore (colour-changing cell) specifically responsible for black, brown, or dark pigmentation through the dispersion or concentration of melanin granules.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Both use the same term identically in scientific literature.
Connotations
None beyond its precise biological definition.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, confined to zoology, comparative physiology, and developmental biology texts.
Grammar
How to Use “melanophore” in a Sentence
The [animal] possesses melanophores in its skin.Melanophores in the [body part] respond to hormonal signals.[Substance] induces melanophore expansion.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “melanophore” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The hormone causes melanophores to disperse their pigment.
- Researchers observed the tissue melanophore under the microscope.
American English
- The experiment measured how quickly melanophores expanded.
- The hormone triggers melanophores to concentrate pigment.
adverb
British English
- The pigment dispersed melanophorely in response to the stimulus. (Note: extremely rare/constructed)
- Not typically used as an adverb.
American English
- The cells reacted melanophorely to the environmental cue. (Note: extremely rare/constructed)
- Not typically used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The melanophore response was quantified using a standard index.
- Melanophore density varies across the dorsal surface.
American English
- Melanophore activity is key to adaptive coloration.
- They studied melanophore distribution patterns.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in specialised biology papers, textbooks on animal physiology, camouflage, and skin pigmentation.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in zoology, herpetology, ichthyology, and developmental biology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “melanophore”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “melanophore”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “melanophore”
- Using 'melanophore' for human skin cells (correct: melanocyte).
- Misspelling as 'melanaphor' or 'melanofor'.
- Assuming it's a common word.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Melanocytes are the pigment-producing cells found in mammals (including humans). Melanophores are found in fish, amphibians, and reptiles and are a type of chromatophore capable of rapidly moving pigment granules to change colour.
No. Humans have melanocytes, which produce and transfer melanin to skin cells, but they do not have the rapid, motor-driven pigment aggregation/dispersion system characteristic of melanophores in lower vertebrates.
Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (MSH) is a key hormone that stimulates melanophore dispersion (darkening) in many species. Melatonin often has the opposite effect, promoting aggregation (lightening).
They are frequently studied in model organisms like zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Xenopus frogs, as well as in chameleons, cuttlefish (though cephalopods have a different structure), and various teleost fish, due to their role in camouflage and communication.
A type of pigment cell in animals, especially fish, amphibians, and reptiles, that contains melanin and can expand or contract to change skin colour.
Melanophore is usually technical/scientific in register.
Melanophore: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɛlənə(ʊ)fɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛlənəˌfɔr/ or /məˈlænəˌfɔr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MELANin + PHORE (bearer/carrier) = 'carrier of melanin'.
Conceptual Metaphor
None in common usage.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a melanophore?