Why Do Leaves Change Color?
🌿 Why Do Leaves Change Color? 🍁
The beautiful science behind autumn leaves – by StudiesSprouts
Have you ever seen green leaves turning yellow, orange, or red in the fall? It feels like magic — but it's actually science at work!
🌞 What Makes Leaves Green in the First Place?
Leaves are green because of a pigment called chlorophyll.
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Chlorophyll helps the plant make food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
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This process is called photosynthesis — it's how plants eat!
🍂 So Why Do Leaves Change Color?
In autumn, days get shorter and cooler.
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Plants slow down photosynthesis and stop making chlorophyll.
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As the green fades, other pigments hidden in the leaves start to show!
🎨 Hidden Colors Inside Leaves:
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Yellow & Orange – from pigments called carotenoids (also found in carrots!)
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Red & Purple – from anthocyanins, which appear in some plants to protect the leaves
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Brown – from leftover waste and dying cells
🍁 Fun Fact:
Each tree has its own “color style” depending on the type of pigments it stores. That’s why maple trees turn bright red while birch trees turn golden yellow!
🌱 Why Do Leaves Fall?
Once the leaf has done its job for the year, the tree seals it off and lets it fall to save energy during winter. It's a natural way for the tree to rest and reset!
🧠 Sprout Challenge:
Collect 3–5 different leaves from your area.
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Press them in a book
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Label the colors and tree types
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Create a “Leaf Science Art Journal”! 🍃🎨
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