Xanthophyll is a class of yellow-colored pigments found in plants, algae and some bacteria. It refers to any one of several related compounds that have a common core structure with a xanthene group (a heterocyclic ring containing an oxygen atom) fused to a benzene ring. The most well-known member of the xanthophyll family is beta-carotene, which gives carrots their orange color and is converted into vitamin A in humans. Other common members include lutein and zeaxanthin, which are found in leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale. These pigments play a crucial role in photosynthesis by absorbing light energy from the blue and ultraviolet regions of sunlight, while reflecting or transmitting the green and yellow wavelengths that humans perceive as color.