Final answer:
The orange color of carrots and sweet potatoes is due to β-carotene, a carotenoid pigment that absorbs light in the blue region of the visible spectrum. Humans consume β-carotene to synthesize vitamin A, an essential nutrient for vision and health.
Step-by-step explanation:
The orange color in carrots and sweet potatoes is due to the presence of β-carotene, a type of carotenoid pigment. This organic pigment is part of a larger group of plant pigments responsible for the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows found in many fruits and vegetables. β-carotene has a system of 11 conjugated double bonds, allowing it to absorb light in the blue region of the visible spectrum. This selective absorption causes the orange color to be reflected, which is why we perceive carrots and sweet potatoes as orange.
Humans need carotenoids like β-carotene to synthesize vitamin A, which is crucial for good vision and overall health. We can obtain these essential nutrients by consuming a diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables. In contrast to humans, some animals, like aphids, have gained the ability to produce carotenoids independently due to the transfer of fungal genes into their system via horizontal gene transfer (HGT).