Carotenes are mostly:

Explanation

Carotenes are mostly orange pigments that play an important role in capturing light energy for photosynthesis. They absorb light mainly in the blue and blue-green regions of the spectrum and reflect orange light, which gives them their characteristic color. This is why fruits and vegetables such as carrots, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes appear orange. Although other pigments like xanthophylls are yellow and chlorophylls are green, carotenes stand out for their distinct orange hue and hydrocarbon structure. Unlike chlorophyll, which directly participates in the light reactions of photosynthesis, carotenes function as accessory pigments that extend the range of light absorbed by plants and also protect chlorophyll from damage caused by excessive light.