Isoprene  ≫ 천연색소

carotenoid : Sporopollenin

- Isoprene → 6: squalene → cholesterol
- Isoprene → 8: lycopene → carotenoid

carotenoid
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It was first observed and named as “sporonin” by John (1814) and latter characterized by Berzelius (1830). Fossil green algae dating back to Devonian period have been shown to contain sporopollenin. The oldest sporopolleninous acritarchs occur in Pre-Cambrian rocks, 1.2-1.4 billion years old.
The green algae are presumably responsible for the development of sporopollenin and its introduction into the armament of higher green plants, where its principal function is protection against oxidation and desiccation.