Chromogen

/ˈkroʊməˌdʒɛn/ noun

Definition

A chemical substance or compound that can produce color, either naturally (as in pigments) or when chemically modified or activated.

Etymology

From Greek 'chroma' (color) and 'gen' (to produce/generate), literally 'color-producing,' adopted in chemistry and biology for compounds that generate color reactions.

Kelly Says

Chromogens are the unsung heroes of medicine and science—your blood test results depend on chromogens that change color to reveal diseases, and food coloring companies engineer chromogens to create new colors.

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