Project 1

I . How Leaves Change Color

II . Introduction

In countries that experience autumn , some trees change the color of their leaves from green to a variety of autumn colors red , yellow orange , brown , and the colors in between . Though science have yet to fully understand how and why trees do this , we do know that changing color has something to do about the trees ' survival

III . Procedure

The World Wide Web was used in the collection of data regarding the process of leaves changing color . Information gathered were then read and

analyzed . These data were then put into own words by the researcher in the Results section

IV . Results Chlorophyll is the substance that makes the leaves green . Chlorophylls are used in the food making process of a plant or a tree . Without it the plants would starve to death . In summer , chlorophyll is abundant in the leaves , that 's why they maintain that green color

When autumn draws near , the trees sense that the days are getting shorter and that the climate is getting colder . This triggers the trees to gradually reduce chlorophyll production . Due to chlorophyll 's decreased presence in the leaves , other pigments that were in the leaves all along but were dominated by the green chlorophyll , starts to show up . This pigment is called carotenoids , they give yellow , brown , and orange variation of colors on the leaves . Anthocyanins on the other hand give the leaves its red hues . Anthocyanins , however , are not present in the leaves at the same time as chlorophyll and carotenoids . Their production is based on phosphate levels and bright lighting . Phosphate levels are usually high in the leaves but on autumn in fall , levels drop and triggers the production of Anthocyanins , the brighter the light during this time , the more vivid the colors become

V . Discussion

Leaves of certain plants and trees change color because chlorophyll production stops . Production stops as preparation for winter , when sunlight and water are scarce , vital components in food production . This shutting down of the plant or tree causes a chain reaction that leads to the leaves loosing its green pigment (chlorophyll ) and eventually the leaves are disposed . There 's no point in keeping them if they don 't have purpose , at least just for the fall and autumn

VI . Bibliography

USDA Forest Service , Southern Region . 1999 . Autumn Colors-How Leaves Change Color

R8-RG-34 . September 17 , 2008 . from : HYPERLINK "http /www .na .fs .fed .us /spfo /pubs /misc /autumn /autumn_colors .htm http /www .na .fs .fed .us /spfo /pubs /misc /autumn /autumn_colors .htm

Science Made Simple , Inc . 2008 . Why do fall leaves change color September 17 , 2008

from : HYPERLINK "http /www .sciencemadesimple .com /leaves .html http /www .sciencemadesimple .com /leaves .html

State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry . 2008

Why Leaves Change Color . September 17 , 2008 . from http /www .esf .edu /pubprog /brochure /leaves /leaves .htm...