Chromatophores: What are, function and classification

The chromatophores are irregular cells containing internal pigments that reflect the light. They are found in a variety of organisms such as amphibians, fish, certain crustaceans, bacteria and some cephalopods. They have an important role in skin coloration, eye pigmentation in ectothermal animals and the formation of neural crest during embryonic development. Mature chromatophores can be classified into several categories according to the color they reflect under white light.

Although the specific function of chromatophores may vary according to the agency, in general, they have several important functions:

• Camouflage: Chromatophores can change color to help the body mimicize with their environment, which provides them with predators or allows them to stalk their prey more effectively. You may be interested in this article about mimicry: what is and examples.
• Communication: Some organisms use changes in the coloring of chromatophores as part of their communication system, either to attract potential partners, warn other individuals of hazard or establish social hierarchies.
• Protection against ultraviolet radiation: In certain cases, the pigments present in chromatophores can act as protectors against ultraviolet radiation, helping to protect the damage organisms caused by excessive exposure to the sun.

According to their specific attributes and particular functions, chromatophores are classified as:

• Melanophores: They carry dark pigments, such as melanin, capable of dispersing or adding to modify the skin tone of the organism. They are responsible for the changes in the cutaneous coloration associated with camouflage and defense against ultraviolet radiation. The lack of melanin, caused by mutations, results in albinism.
• Erythroporic: These chromatophores contain reddish pigments, such as astaxanthin, and are responsible for the red and orange tones observed in the skin of certain animals, such as fish and crustaceans.
• Xantophores: They carry yellow pigments, such as pterine or carotenoids, granting yellowish or orange tones to the skin of the organism.
• Iridophores: in charge of the iridescent and metallic tones that are appreciated in certain animals, such as certain fish and reptiles. These chromatophores house microscopic structures that selectively reflect the light, producing bright and changing colors.
• Leuchophores: Unlike the other types of chromatophores, leukophores lack colored pigments and instead efficiently reflect light, resulting in a white or silver appearance. They are crucial to generate contrasts in the color patterns of some animals.

Cephalopods are recognized for their ability to quickly modify both The color as the texture of your skin in a sophisticated way. They use the chromatophores present in their epidermis to melt with their surroundings, confuse predators or attract potential partners.

Among the cephalopods of the Coleoid subclass, there are highly developed multicellular organs that allow them to change color quickly, as evidenced in Summies, sepias and bright octopuses. Each chromatophore unit consists of a single chromatophore cell, accompanied by multiple structures such as muscles, nerves, glial cells and pod cells. Within the chromatophore cell, pigments are contained in an elastic sack called Saculus cytoelastic. To change their coloration, the individual alters the size or shape of this saculus through muscle contractions, which modifies the translucidity, reflection or opacity of the pigments.

The octos, specifically, have a complex chromatophore system capable of generating different chromatic wavelengths, resulting in Coloring patterns that change rapidly. It is believed that the nerves that control these chromatophores are located in the brain, in an organization that corresponds to the chromatophores themselves, which means that the color change pattern is synchronized with neuronal activation. Like chameleons, cephalopods use color change as a means of social communication. In addition, they are experts in adapting to the environment, being able to mimic their appearance both in color and in texture exceptionally precisely.

In bacteria, chromatophores They are called organelles. The chromatophores present in phototrophic bacteria that house photosynthetic pigments originate from invaginations in the cytoplasmic membrane. The form of these organelles varies depending on the bacterial species:

• They can present themselves as empty vesicles.
• In other species, they are formed by concentric replicues layersarranged as parallel sheets near the cytoplasmic membrane.
• They can also organize in the form of tubulesindividually or grouped in beams.

These chromatophores represent an adaptation to increase the membrane surface available for carry out the functions of photosynthesisand are composed of pigments such as bacterioclorophyla and carotenoids. In purple bacteria such as Rhodospirillum Rubrumlight collection proteins are intrinsically found in chromatophores membranes. On the other hand, the green bacteria of sulfur have evolved a specialized complex-agent called chlorosome.

Now that you know what chromatophores are, do not miss this article about animals that change color.

If you want to read more articles similar to Chromatophores: What are, function and classificationwe recommend that you enter our biology category.