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- A carotenoid is any of a group of yellow,
- orange, red, or brown pigments found in many
- living organisms, particularly in the
- chloroplasts of plants. Some carotenoids act
- as accessory pigments in photosynthesis, and
- in certain algae they are the principal
- light-absorbing pigments functioning more
- efficiently than chlorophyll in low-intensity
- light. Carotenoids are also responsible for
- the autumn colours of leaves, persisting
- longer than the green chlorophyll which
- masks them during the summer.
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- Subject by: Russell Webb
-