Carotenoid facts for kids
Carotenoids (or tetraterpenoids) are organic pigments. They are found in the chloroplasts and chromoplasts of plants, and also some bacteria and fungi.
The only animals known to produce carotenoids are aphids and mites, which got the genes from fungi.
There are over 600 known carotenoids. They are of two types, xanthophylls (which contain oxygen) and carotenes (which are purely hydrocarbons with no oxygen).
Carotenoids have two key roles in plants and algae: they absorb light energy for use in photosynthesis, and they protect chlorophyll from photodamage. Beta-carotene is the most common form in plants.
Some carotenoids have vitamin A activity (so they can convert to retinol). These and other carotenoids can also act as antioxidants. In the eye, certain other carotenoids (lutein, astaxanthin, and zeaxanthin) apparently act directly to absorb damaging blue and near-ultraviolet light. This protects the macula of the retina, the part of the eye with the sharpest vision.
Images for kids
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Macular pigments of the human eye
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The conversion of phytoene to lycopene in plants and cyanobacteria (left) differs compared to bacteria and fungi (right).
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General structure of a carotenoid: polyene tail with double bonds, possible terminal rings
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Gac fruit, rich in lycopene
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Yellow and orange leaf colors in autumn are due to carotenoids, which are visible after chlorophyll degrades for the season.
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Apricots, rich in carotenoids
See also
In Spanish: Carotenoide para niños
