Chameleon is a resident of sultry Africa, who gained fame due to his unique ability to change skin color. This small lizard with a length of only 30 cm can transform, becoming black, pink, green, blue, red, yellow. Many scientists have conducted various studies to find out how the chameleon changes color, and what it is connected with. It was assumed that he thus disguised as the background surrounding him. But this turned out to be a false assumption.
This lizard is unique in itself. She looks like a dragon, often changes skin color, sits on tree branches for hours waiting for the victim, which captures a long tongue. Her eyes live a separate life, turning in different directions. Chameleon changes color due to special cells - chromatophores. His skin is transparent, so cells containing pigment of different colors are so clearly visible.
For a long time, researchers could not understand how a chameleon changes color, and why this happens. It was assumed that he needed this for disguise. After all, having painted, for example, in green, a lizard can camouflage itself in foliage, hiding from predators and waiting for its victims. Indeed, in the course of evolution, many chameleons learned to acquire the color and pattern of their enemy - for example, birds or snakes.
Modern research has shown that the process of how a chameleon changes color is completely dependent on its condition. Skin color varies from mood swings - reactions such as fear or joy. This may even depend on air temperature. In Africa, many chameleons turn black in the morning to attract the sun's rays, but brighten during the day so that it is not so hot. They use variegated colors in mating games, in order to attract a representative of the opposite article.
Chromatophores in chameleons are located in the deep layers of the skin and are directly dependent on the nervous system. In the upper layer are cells containing red and yellow pigments. Next is the crystalline substance guanine, which very accurately reproduces the blue color. Under it are the melanophores responsible for the black and yellow pigments and containing melanin. The way pigment granules are located in the cell completely affects the color. A chameleon is a very interesting animal. After all, the pigments in his cells move very quickly, changing color. If they are concentrated in the center of the cell, then it will remain transparent, and if evenly distributed over it, it will stain in an intense color.
Nerve endings connect the chromatophores to the brain, from where commands for change come. The way a chameleon changes color can be compared with a palette in which colors, mixing, create completely new shades. Due to its ability to change skin color, this lizard has gained immense popularity. Today, fabrics, varnishes and other things shimmering in different shades or changing them are called chameleons.
Although it seems that by changing color, the lizard wants to disguise itself, it is not. She does not pay attention to the background at all. The skin color is influenced by mood, emotions experienced, air temperature, but not the environment at all. Therefore, the opinion that when a chameleon appears on a chessboard, black and white cells will appear on it is fundamentally wrong.
