CAROTENE

n. hydrocarbon found in some plants and converted by the body into vitamin A

The term carotene is used for several related substances having the formula C40H56. Carotene is an orange photosynthetic pigment important for photosynthesis. It is responsible for the orange colour of the carrot and many other fruits and vegetables. It contributes to photosynthesis by transmitting the light energy it absorbs to chlorophyll.
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Carotene /car·o·tene/ one of four isomeric pigments, having colors from violet to red-yellow to yellow and occurring in many dark green, leafy, and [more]Carotene - Community and Resources

Noun
1. an orange isomer of an unsaturated hydrocarbon found in many plants; is converted into vitamin A in the liver
(synonym) provitamin A, carotin
(hypernym) provitamin
(hyponym) beta-carotene
2. yellow or orange-red fat-soluble pigments in plants
(hypernym) carotenoid

adj. carotin

n. carotene, hydrocarbon found in some plants and converted by the body into vitamin A