𝓖𝓻𝓮𝓮𝓷
𝓨𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓸𝔀
𝓑𝓻𝓸𝔀𝓷
𝓡𝓮𝓭
How do leaves change colour?
However, in the fall, due to variations in daylight hours and temperature changes, the leaves cease their food production. The chlorophyll breaks down, causing the green hue to fade, and revealing the vibrant yellow and orange shades that contribute to the leaves’ autumn beauty
Steps to leaves changing colours due to leaf pigments:
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll makes leaves green, absorbs sunlight and water to feed trees glucose.
Carotenoids
Carotenoids play a role in photosynthesis; they are always present but are typically hidden by the chlorophyll. Unlike chlorophyll, carotenoids do not alter in reaction to weather changes.
Anthocyanins
Generated in the fall through reactions involving higher sugar concentrations in leaves, anthocyanin is not produced by all tree species.
Tannins
The bitter waste product of tree metabolism is consistently present, yet it only becomes visible when chlorophyll and carotenoids fade away.
