melanophore

[ muh-lan-uh-fawr, -fohr, mel-uh-nuh- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Biology.

a pigmented connective-tissue cell containing melanin in its cytoplasm, responsible for color changes in many fishes and reptiles.

melanophore

A pigmented cell that contains melanin, found especially in the skin of fishes, amphibians, and reptiles.

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of melanophore¹

First recorded in 1900–05; melano- + -phore

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Tiny packets of the dark dye melanin, for example, can be spread throughout the tendrils of big "melanophore" cells - or gathered into the centre, to lighten the skin again.

From

The smaller frogs were recently metamorphosed as evidenced by the melanophore deposits above the vent.

From

melanoma melanosis

Browse