Why leaves change colour: the chemistry of autumn
As chlorophyll breaks down, hidden yellow and orange pigments show through.
By Pooja Bhatt
· 1 min read
Photo: Illustration: Perigee Science (synthetic)Green leaves are packed with chlorophyll, which absorbs red and blue light. In autumn, trees stop making it.
Yellow carotenoids, present all summer, are revealed. Red anthocyanins are made fresh in the leaf as sugars get trapped.
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