carotenoid
(noun)
Any of a class of yellow to red plant pigments including the carotenes and xanthophylls.
Examples of carotenoid in the following topics:
-
Absorption of Light
- Pigments, like chlorophyll and carotenoids, absorb and reflect light at a certain region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
- With dozens of different forms, carotenoids are a much larger group of pigments.
- In photosynthesis, carotenoids function as photosynthetic pigments that are very efficient molecules for the disposal of excess energy.
- Therefore, many carotenoids are stored in the thylakoid membrane to absorb excess energy and safely release that energy as heat.
- Carotenoids absorb light in the blue-green and violet region and reflect the longer yellow, red, and orange wavelengths .
-
Horizontal Gene Transfer
- Aphids are insects that vary in color based on carotenoid content.
- On the other hand, aphids have acquired the ability to make the carotenoids on their own.
- A carotenoid enzyme called a desaturase is responsible for the red coloration seen in certain aphids.
- (a) Red aphids get their color from red carotenoid pigment.
- If genes for making carotenoids are inactivated by mutation, the aphids revert back to (b) their green color.
-
Genomic Similiarities between Distant Species
- Aphids are insects that vary in color based on carotenoid content.
- Humans require carotenoids to synthesize vitamin A, and we obtain them by eating orange fruits and vegetables: carrots, apricots, mangoes, and sweet potatoes.
- On the other hand, aphids have acquired the ability to make the carotenoids on their own.
- (a) Red aphids get their color from red carotenoid pigment.
- If genes for making carotenoids are inactivated by mutation, the aphids revert back to (b) their green color.
-
Streptophytes and Reproduction of Green Algae
- Green algae contain the same carotenoids and chlorophyll a and b as land plants, whereas other algae have different accessory pigments and types of chlorophyll molecules in addition to chlorophyll a.
-
Sporophytes and Gametophytes in Seedless Plants
- This complex substance is characterized by long chains of organic molecules related to fatty acids and carotenoids: hence the yellow color of most pollen.
-
Processes of the Light-Dependent Reactions
- Each photosystem consists of multiple antenna proteins that contain a mixture of 300–400 chlorophyll a and b molecules, as well as other pigments like carotenoids.
-
Chromalveolata: Stramenopiles
- Their characteristic gold color results from their extensive use of carotenoids, a group of photosynthetic pigments that are generally yellow or orange in color.