Chromophore

A chromophore is a part of a molecule responsible for its color. It works by absorbing specific wavelengths of light, and the color we see is the light that is reflected or transmitted. In biological molecules, like proteins or pigments, chromophores determine coloration—for example, the green in chlorophyll or the red in hemoglobin. The structure of the chromophore affects which light it absorbs, thus influencing the color. Understanding chromophores is important in chemistry, biology, and medicine, as they reveal information about molecular structure and function.