Carotenoids function as

Carotenoids function as

• A. pigments
• B. enzymes
• C. hormones
• D. structural proteins

Answer: (A)

Carotenoids function as pigments. They are colorful, light-absorbing compounds that give many fruits, vegetables, and parts of plants their yellow, orange, or red hues. Beyond coloring, they help harvest light for photosynthesis by extending the range of light that can be used and protect the photosynthetic apparatus by quenching reactive oxygen species and dissipating excess energy. They are not enzymes, hormones, or structural proteins, which are roles carried out by other types of molecules.

Carotenoids function as pigments. They are colorful, light-absorbing compounds that give many fruits, vegetables, and parts of plants their yellow, orange, or red hues. Beyond coloring, they help harvest light for photosynthesis by extending the range of light that can be used and protect the photosynthetic apparatus by quenching reactive oxygen species and dissipating excess energy. They are not enzymes, hormones, or structural proteins, which are roles carried out by other types of molecules.