ScienceAugust 25, 2026
chalcone
KAL-kohn
Definition
A type of chemical compound that serves as a fundamental building block in the biosynthesis of flavonoids, which are pigments responsible for colors like red and purple in plants.
Etymology
The term is derived from the Greek word 'chalkos', meaning 'copper' or 'bronze', because early synthesized chalcones were often described as having a bright yellow or orange-red, copper-like color.
In the news
The article mentions chalcone synthase as a key structural gene involved in the process of anthocyanin biosynthesis, which ultimately determines the bract color of ornamental bananas.
Scientists unlock 'ancestral code' of banana family
Read the full article ↗Phys.org