• Question: Why do leaves change color in the fall?

    Asked by smithmoorebell to Ben, Clare, Ezzy, Mario, Sam on 14 Mar 2012.
    • Photo: Sam Vinko

      Sam Vinko answered on 14 Mar 2012:

      The leaves are green because of a pigment called chlorophyll – its important because thats where photosynthesis takes place. When the autumn cold arrives chlorophyll starts breaking down and the green is replaced with colours from other pigments present in the leaves, like yellow or red.

    • Photo: Clare Burrage

      Clare Burrage answered on 14 Mar 2012:

      Some trees lose their leaves in the Autumn to help them survive the winter. As the leaves die they lose the chlorophyl which is used to make energy for the plant and which gives them their green colour. As the green colour is lost, other colours that were always there are revealed.
      I’m not an expert on this though, you can find out lots more by googling this question!

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