• Question: Why do leaves change colour in Autumn?

    Asked by justkiera to Christina, Colin, Jess, Samaneh, Steve on 19 Jun 2013. This question was also asked by edrienepadua, ledw.
    • Photo: Jess Bean

      Jess Bean answered on 19 Jun 2013:

      Leaves are green coloured most of the year because they contain a molecule called chlorophyll. This is the chemical that helps plants get energy from sunlight. They are continuously looked after during the summer.

      In the autumn, because it is becoming colder and daylight becomes shorter, the chlorophyll is not looked after as much and gradually breaks down. As the chlorophyll goes, the other colours that are left become less hidden so we see them more – these colours are the yellows and reds we see in autumn.

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