Why is carotene in carrots?

Question

Internet says that the carotene is an important pigment for photosynthesis and UV-protection. That explains its accumulation in leaves. I suppose colored fruits are more appealing to animals, so that explains the fruits. But why roots? Why is carrot full of carotene? The only reason I can think of is human cultivation. Is there any specific reason carrots synthesize so much carotene? Are there other similar examples of so vividly colored roots?

Answer 1

Why carrot roots are colored bright though underground ?

Carrot roots are colored not to attract organisms that are underground but because they store pigments mainly Carotenoids and anthocyanins for the carrot root itself.Carotene and anthocyanins mainly function as protective pigments- antioxidants, as nutrient reserves for the plant's biennial life cycle.Carotenoids in root are

a source of stable carbon and energy source, help maintain redox balance and membrane permeability.

Why carrots need to synthesize so much carotene ?

The orange phenotype in carrots is largely due to human selection for beta-carotene enrichment, which made the storage root a rich source of vit.A. Artificial selection by humans made the carrot roots accumulate extraordinary amounts of beta-carotene, far beyond what the plant "needs", which made the storage root a rich source of vit.A.

Examples of colored roots, other than the carrots :

Beetroot ; Sweet potatoes ; Radish ; Cassava ( it usually has white or light colored roots, but some cultivars accumulate yellow carotenoids. Yellow biofortified cassava is human driven, targeted to fight for vit.A deficiency.