Chromophores (from the Greek chroma, or "color," and phoros, or "bearer") are groups of atoms in an organic compound that absorb light at certain wavelengths. A particular chromophore gives the compound its distinctive color by causing it to absorb light selectively.An example of a chromophoric compound is chlorophyll, the plant pigment that gives vegetation its green color.

Over the eons, photosynthetic organisms such as trees, plants, algae, and some bacteria have evolved a set of chromophoric pigments that efficiently capture sunlight, which they convert to energy that they use to sustain themselves. Other examples include beta-carotene which is responsible for the orange color of carrots. It is also added to most butter and margarine products to provide a yellow color. Lycopene is another type of plant pigment that gives tomatoes their red color. An example of a synthetically derived chromaphore is malachite green, a material that is...