Energy from sunlight can excite electrons, kicking them out of their orbitals and creating free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive atoms or molecules that have unpaired electrons. They degrade and destroy other compounds in their vicinity. Carotenoids, one of the pigments present in most chloroplasts, can stabilize these free radicals. This suggests that
A) carotenoids probably have a protective function in the cell.
B) once chloroplasts are destroyed, the free radicals will destroy the cell.
C) other pigments besides carotenoids and chlorophyll) are essential for the health of a plant cell.
D) carotenoids communicate directly with the immune system of plants.