You will need to download and install a Java plug-in in order to view this applet. Download Sun's Java plug-in from here.

Click and drag your mouse inside the applet above to rotate the molecule in 3-D. Applet instructions...

Switch to another visualization applet:

	miniJaMM	open in new window...
	JaMM1
	JaMM2

Beta-carotene

Beta-carotene is found in many plants and has a high nutritional value.

Chemical Formula: C₄₀H₅₆

Layman's explanation: Since the time of the ancient Greeks, carrots have been prized for their medicinal properties and beta-Carotene has been attributed as the source of these properties. Beta-carotene causes many plants to have pigment, and provides the color in carrots, cantaloupes and squash. Beta-carotenes have been seen to be of immense help in the maintenance of the human body: it is essential to proper vision, and to the functioning of the respiratory and digestive systems. Beta-carotene is a precursor in the biosynthesis of Vitamin A in the human body.

Keywords: pigment, nutrient

Crystallographic details...
More visualization options...
See other versions...

Reciprocal Net site software 0.9.1-50, copyright (c) 2002-2009, The Trustees of Indiana University
Files and data presented via this software are property of their respective owners.
Reciprocal Net is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation as part of the National Science Digital Library project.