Biology 3rd Edition by Peter Russell, Paul Hertz, Beverly McMillan

Exercise 3

Like other accessory pigments, the carotenoids extend the range of wavelengths absorbed in photosynthesis.They also protect plants from a potentially lethal process known as photooxidation.This process begins when excitation energy in chlorophylls drives the conversion of oxygen into free radicals, substances that can damage organic compounds and kill cells.When plants that cannot produce carotenoids are grown in light, they bleach white and die.Given this observation, what molecules in the plants are likely to be destroyed by photooxidation?