Plants:photosynthesis; chameleons:???

October 8, 2004 1:33 PM

What is the scientific name of the process by which chameleons change color? I.e., plants convert sunlight to food via photosynthesis; chameleons change color via ... what?
posted by Acetylene to Science & Nature (3 answers total)

Using the same word composition as metamorphosis, I came up with metachromasis. But looking at the differing dictionary meaning of metachromasia, I guess there should be a different word.
posted by Gyan at 2:19 PM on October 8, 2004

There doesn't seem to be a handy word for it, but the process is apparently the tensing of the chromatophore cells.
posted by adamrice at 2:28 PM on October 8, 2004

Endogenous synthesis.
posted by Smart Dalek at 2:54 PM on October 8, 2004