Which term is a pigment-containing cell that can change color, found in some reptiles?

Which term is a pigment-containing cell that can change color, found in some reptiles?

• A. Pigment
• B. Fang
• C. Venom
• D. Chromatophore

Answer: (D)

Chromatophores are pigment-containing cells in the skin that can change color by moving pigment granules inside the cell. In reptiles, different types—melanophores (dark pigment), xanthophores (yellow), erythrophores (red), and iridophores (structural color)—work together to produce a range of colors. The color change is driven by hormonal or neural signals, which allows these animals to camouflage, regulate temperature, or communicate. That makes chromatophore the best term for a pigment-containing cell that can alter color in some reptiles. Pigment is just the substance, not a cell; fang and venom are unrelated.

Chromatophores are pigment-containing cells in the skin that can change color by moving pigment granules inside the cell. In reptiles, different types—melanophores (dark pigment), xanthophores (yellow), erythrophores (red), and iridophores (structural color)—work together to produce a range of colors. The color change is driven by hormonal or neural signals, which allows these animals to camouflage, regulate temperature, or communicate. That makes chromatophore the best term for a pigment-containing cell that can alter color in some reptiles. Pigment is just the substance, not a cell; fang and venom are unrelated.