Is provitamin D a UV-B receptor in plants?
An hypothesis is presented that provitamin D (dehydrocholesterol and/or ergosterol) can act as a UV-B receptor in plants and algae. We also propose that the proportions between provitamins D, previtamins D, and vitamins D (D2 and D3), after calibration, can be used to evaluate UV-B exposure of phytoplankton and terrestrial vegetation. This is the final, accepted and revised manuscript of this art
