Chromatophore is a pigmented lamellar or vesicular structure that can be isolated from disrupted photosynthetic bacteria or cyanobacteria.

Their plasma membrane may be projected in folds into the cytoplasm forming lamellae that have, therefore, double unit-membrane structure. The pigments and most of the enzymes required for the light-induced electron transport and phosphorylation processes of photosynthesis, are located in the plasma membrane and lamellae.