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chromatophore

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.04 sec.
chro·mat·o·phore  (kr-mt-fôr, -fr)
n.
1. A pigment-containing or pigment-producing cell, especially in certain lizards, that by expansion or contraction can change the color of the skin. Also called pigment cell.
2. A specialized pigment-bearing organelle in certain photosynthetic bacteria and cyanobacteria.

chro·mato·phoric (-fôrk, -fr-) adj.

chromatophore [ˈkrəʊmətəˌfɔː]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) a cell in the skin of frogs, chameleons, etc., in which pigment is concentrated or dispersed, causing the animal to change colour
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) another name for chromoplast
chromatophoric , chromatophorous [ˌkrəʊməˈtɒfərəs] adj


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Twenty-four hours later, these animals were clearly infected, showing fragile antennas and soft cuticle as well as chromatophore expansion along the whole surface of the body, particularly at the tail fan (telson and uropods).
Muscles around each chromatophore constrict or expand the cell--when constricted, skin color lightens, when expanded color darkens.
The reptile's eyes signal the nervous system to trigger chromatophores (pigment-producing cells) beneath the skin surface to contract or expand.
 
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