Why do leaves change color in the fall?

Question

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if anyone could explain to me like I’m five why leaves change color in the fall. I know it has something to do with the temperature and the amount of sunlight, but I’m not sure how that makes the leaves turn red, yellow, and orange.

Thanks in advance for any explanations!

In: 11

Answer 1

Leaves change color in the fall because of a complex chemical process that occurs in the cells of the leaves. During the spring and summer, leaves are able to produce a green pigment called chlorophyll, which helps the plant to capture sunlight and convert it into energy through the process of photosynthesis.

As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder in the fall, the plant begins to shut down its photosynthetic processes and stop producing chlorophyll. This allows other pigments in the leaves, such as carotenoids and anthocyanins, to become more visible. These pigments give the leaves their yellow, orange, and red colors.

The exact colors that a leaf will turn in the fall depends on the mix of pigments present in the leaf and the amount of sunlight and moisture the plant receives. The colors of fall leaves are also influenced by the temperature and other environmental factors, which can cause the leaves to change color faster or slower.