What is Chromophore?
A '''chromophore''' is the part of a [[molecule]] responsible for its [[colour]].<ref>[[IUPAC Gold Book]] [http://goldbook.iupac.org/C01076.html Chromophore]</ref> The colour is caused when a molecule [[Absorption|absorbs]] certain [[wavelength]]s of [[visible spectrum|visible light]]. It transmits or reflects only other wavelengths, which causes the colour we see. In biological molecules that capture or detect light energy, the chromophore is the [[Functional group|part of the molecule]] which responds when hit by light. [[File:Beta-Carotene conjugation.svg|thumb|center|400px|Chemical structure of [[beta-carotene]]. The eleven conjugated double bonds that form the chromophore of the molecule are highlighted in red]] Chromophores make the colour in [[chromatophore]]s, which are the [[pigment]]-containing and light-reflecting cells found in many animals. == References == {{reflist}} [[Category:Chemical compounds]] {{chem-stub}}