chromophore
/ˈkroʊməfɔr/
noun
- The part of a molecule that gives it its color by absorbing certain wavelengths of light.
- The chromophore in the dye absorbs blue light, making the fabric appear red.
- In photosynthesis, the chromophore in chlorophyll captures sunlight.
- Chemists modified the chromophore to create a brighter pigment.