noun
- a cell containing melanin pigment that can expand or contract to change skin color in certain animals
Usage: biology
Examples
- The chameleon’s melanophores allow it to change color rapidly.
- Fish use melanophores to blend in with their surroundings.
- Scientists studied the melanophore cells under a microscope.
- The frog’s melanophores darkened when it felt threatened.
- Melanophores contain granules of the pigment melanin.
- The octopus contracted its melanophores to become nearly transparent.