carotene
/'kærətin/ Cách viết khác : (carotene) /'kærəti:n/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A yellow, orange, or red fat-soluble pigment: Carotene is an organic pigment found in many plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria. It is responsible for the characteristic colors of carrots, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes.
- A provitamin A compound: Certain types of carotene, most notably beta-carotene, can be converted by the body into vitamin A, which is essential for vision, immune function, and skin health.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which gives them their orange color.
- The conversion of carotene to vitamin A occurs in the liver.
- A diet high in carotene from fruits and vegetables is beneficial for health.
Advanced Usage
- "Provitamin A carotene": This term specifies the types of carotene (like alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin) that the body can convert into retinol (vitamin A).
- Beta-carotene is the most efficient provitamin A carotene.
Variants and Related Words
- Carotenoid (noun): The broader class of pigments to which carotene belongs. Carotenoids include both carotenes (which are hydrocarbons) and xanthophylls (which contain oxygen).
- Lutein is a carotenoid found in leafy green vegetables.
Synonyms
- Provitamin A: A substance that the body can transform into vitamin A.
- Beta-carotene: The most common and well-known form of provitamin A carotene.
Related Compounds
- Retinol (noun): The form of vitamin A derived from animal products and synthesized from provitamin A carotenoids like carotene.
- The body converts dietary carotene into retinol.
Noun
- yellow or orange-red fat-soluble pigments in plants
- an orange isomer of an unsaturated hydrocarbon found in many plants; is converted into vitamin A in the liver