Describing cells, tissues, or organisms that resist absorbing colors, dyes, or pigments.
Adjective form derived from chromophobia, combining Greek 'chroma' (color) + 'phobos' (fear). Used in histology and cell biology to characterize staining behavior.
Chromophobic cells in the pituitary gland are named like they're terrified of dye, but what's really happening is they lack the acidic structures (chromophilia) that catch the stains—a naming quirk from when scientists didn't fully understand cellular chemistry.
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