Why is carotenoids yellow-orange?

Carotenoids are yellow-orange due to their chemical structure, which contains long chains of conjugated double bonds that absorb light in the blue and green wavelengths. This absorption results in the reflection and transmission of yellow and orange light, giving carotenoids their characteristic colors. These pigments play a crucial role in photosynthesis by capturing light energy and also contribute to the coloration of many fruits and vegetables.