THE SPECIAL PIGMENT FOR COLOUR CHANGE IN CHAMELEON IS

• A. melanin
• B. carotenoid
• C. chromatin
• D. chromatophore ✓

The answer to the question is: D. chromatophore

Chromatophores are specialized pigment cells found in the skin of chameleons and other reptiles, as well as some fish and cephalopods. These cells contain pigments that can expand or contract, allowing the animal to change its color. The ability to change color is used for camouflage, communication, and thermoregulation.

Chromatophores are responsible for the remarkable ability of chameleons to change their skin color rapidly and in intricate patterns. The process of changing color involves the expansion or contraction of the pigment-containing sacs within the chromatophores, which alters the way light is reflected off the skin. This rapid color change is achieved through the control of nerve impulses and hormones that regulate the size and distribution of the pigment-containing sacs within the chromatophores.

Chromatophores contain various pigments, including melanin, carotenoids, and pteridines, which contribute to the diverse range of colors that chameleons can display. However, it is the specialized structure and function of chromatophores themselves that enable chameleons to achieve such rapid and precise changes in coloration.

In conclusion, while melanin and carotenoids are important pigments found in chromatophores, it is ultimately the specialized cells known as chromatophores that are responsible for the remarkable color-changing abilities observed in chameleons.