Mechanism of color change... Chameleons have specialized cells, chromatophores, which contain pigments in their cytoplasm, in three layers below their transparent outer skin: The chromatophores in the upper layer, called xanthophores and erythrophores, contain yellow and red pigments, respectively. Below the chromatophores is a second layer of chromatophores called iridophores or guanophores; these contain guanine, appearing blue or white. The deepest layer of chromatophores, called melanophores, contain the dark pigment melanin, which controls how much light is reflected. Dispersion of the pigment granules in the chromatophores sets the intensity of each color. When the pigment is equally distributed in a chromatophore, the whole cell is intensively colored. When the pigment is located only in the center of the cell, the cell appears mainly transparent. Chromatophores can rapidly relocate their particles of pigment, thereby influencing the animals color. (goo.gl/3pfmuA)
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 09:13:54 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015