carotene

car·o·tene  (kr-tn) also car·o·tin (-tn)

n.

An orange-yellow to red crystalline pigment, C₄₀H₅₆, found in animal tissue and certain plants, such as carrots and squash. It exists in several isomeric forms and is converted to vitamin A in the liver.

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[German Karotin, from Latin carta, carrot; see carrot.]

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carotene

Noun

Biochem any of four orange-red hydrocarbons, found in many plants, converted to vitamin A in the liver [from Latin carota carrot]

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carotene  (kr-tn)

Any of various organic compounds that occur as orange-yellow to red pigments in many plants and in animal tissue. In plant leaves, carotenes aid in the absorption of light energy by transferring the energy to chlorophyll and act as antioxidants protecting chlorophyll from damage by oxidation. In animals, carotenes are converted to vitamin A primarily in the liver. They are members of the carotenoid family of compounds and give plants such as carrots, pumpkins, and dandelions their characteristic color. Chemical formula: C₄₀H₅₆. See also xanthophyll.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	carotene - an orange isomer of an unsaturated hydrocarbon found in many plants; is converted into vitamin A in the liver carotin, provitamin A beta-carotene - an isomer of carotene that is found in dark green and dark yellow fruits and vegetables provitamin - vitamin precursor; a substance that is converted into a vitamin in animal tissues
	2.	carotene - yellow or orange-red fat-soluble pigments in plants carotenoid - any of a class of highly unsaturated yellow to red pigments occurring in plants and animals