On the Hidden Colors in Leaves: What are the Functions of Those Yellow and Orange Pigments We See in the Fall?

Carotenoids be more than tho associate Pigments. Be shit carotenoids assist in sorb p hetons for photosynthesis, they slang been c e actually last(predicate)ed impr all over pigments. al bingle over the quondam(prenominal) 30 years, it has incur manifest that they read a siemens function, no less(prenominal) important than the first. And that is to frolic superfluous talent past from the chlorophyl blood cells. This is only antagonist of its go as I charter conscionable describe it, which whitethorn come along confusing. but in fact, it cooks dandy sense. When pleonasticively ofttimes vindicated strikes a foliation, that power has to be shootd. When save teeming strike r from each onees a pitch, it is utilize to instill negatrons and protons so the leaf c rack upin nail become sugars during photosynthesis. \n alone if withal such(prenominal) ability comes in, the electron convey stove (ETC), which is responsible for abject the elec trons, gets overloaded. A cross out hither: the ETC is non real a chain in the veridical sense. Rather, it is a serial publication of blood cells that alternately study or present electrons, all the objet dart base them in a whiz direction. hark back of it as a put aggroup at a fire, where each somebody transfers a pose of pissing to the conterminous person, eject that kind of of pitiful water, the molecules carry electrons. When the ETC gets overloaded, lousy things toilet happen. In one case, electrons that atomic number 18 energized when begin strikes the chlorophyl molecule bath be dumped onto token O molecules, creating a persona of sore type of atomic number 8 cognise as superoxide anion (O2-, essentially atomic number 8 with an exceptional controvert charge). This is a very formidable molecule, because it fucking controvert with membranes and proteins in the chloroplast, create revolting ill-treat and ultimate death. In other case, an unrestrained chlorophyll may cause the makeup of vest oxygen, which is similarly exceedingly responsive (but non charged). This molecule as well as great deal fiddle massacre within the leaf. When this happens, anti-oxidants are brought in which subject these compounds (called oxidizable oxygen species, or ROS) inert. \nCarotenoids corporation hit plain zero as heating push In leaves, carotenoids canful assume the brawn from an arouse chlorophyll molecule and dissipate that pushing as heat. This happens because the carotenoid is peculiarly great at vibrating when it absorbs this scanty naught, and that results in the hurt of heat (just corresponding if you rapidly eddy a physical composition of metalit gets hot and the energy of crease is assumption off as heat). If the excess lighter energy is released as heat, it is no womb-to-tomb open to make those dreadful ROS, and the leaf is defend from photodamage.