What substance stains the foliage in green, yellow, orange, red: plant pigments. Why do leaves change color in the fall? The leaves of which group of trees blush in the fall?

What dyes stain the leaves in different colors.

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During the year, our planet plays with various colors. And all thanks to the plants that it is rich in. And, probably, many had the following question: why are the leaves of one or another color? Especially, this is interested in our children who love to ask questions. And in order to answer them correctly, you need to figure it out well.

What pigment stains the leaves in green, red?

In the school curriculum in a biology lesson, they must go through a similar topic. Some may have forgotten, and some just do not know. But the pigment that is responsible for the green color of the leaves is chlorophyll. Let's figure out a little more in this aspect.

Green color of leaves:

Chlorophyll is a substance that absorbs sunlight and, with the help of water and carbon dioxide, produces useful organic substances for plants. Or, as they say in a scientific language, it turns inorganic substances into organic.
It is this pigment that is fundamental in the process of photosynthesis. Thanks to him, all living organisms receive oxygen. Yes, this information is known to any student. But few thought about how chlorophyll stains the foliage in green.

Yes, the element itself also has a green color. And since it prevails in plants, the color depends on it. And you can draw a direct dependence between the color of the foliage and the amount of chlorophyll.
But that is not all. If you delve into a similar topic in more detail, then you can learn much more. The fact is that chlorophyll absorbs spectra of colors such as blue and red. This is the very reason why we see green leaves.

Red color of leaves:

Based on the above reasons, you can find the answer why the leaves are red. Even if you do not take into account the biology course. From a logical point of view, the red color, too, to some extent, depends on chlorophyll. Or rather, from its absence.
The pigment responsible for red in the sheet is anthocyan. This element is also responsible for the blue and purple coloring of leaves, colors and fruits.

Anthocyan, like chlorophyll, absorbs certain color spectra. In this case, this is green.
By the way, there are plants that do not have a green color of leaves or flowers. It depends on the fact that there is no chlorophyll in them. And in his place Antocyan.

How to explain the change in the color of the leaves of trees in the fall?

What beautiful is we like autumn. Despite the rains and cloudy sky, it is beautiful in its own way. It is autumn that trees are painted in different colors. Of course, it depends on the weather and the nature of the tree. But everyone drew attention to the fact that even on one sheet there can be several shades or colors.

It was previously believed that all pigments are constantly present in the foliage. And when the amount of chlorophyll decreases, then other paints become visible. But this option is not quite true. Specifically refers to anthocyans.
This pigment begins to appear in the leaves only after the level of chlorophyll begins to decline.
Let's look at this process in more detail. In the fall, the sun is not so warm, which means that chlorophyll becomes smaller. Since it is he who is responsible for nutrients in plants, their number is reduced. So the leaves begin to prepare for the cold.
This process is very thin and thought out. All those useful substances that the plant has accumulated over the summer, slowly moves into the branches and root. There they will be all cold time. And in the spring this supply will be used to make new green leaves.

But color coloring of leaves, in addition to natural processes, is also affected by the weather. Usually in sunny weather Anthocyan is more dominated by. If autumn is cloudy and rainy, then there will be more yellow trees.
But that's not all. The color of the leaves also depends on the breed of the plant itself. Everyone noticed that the maple has often reddish leaves, but linden and birch are always dressed in golden color.
Immediately before winter, when all coloring pigments completely destroyed, the leaves become brown. There are no more nutrients left in them, the leaves dry out and fall. At this stage, the cell walls of the leaves become clear.

What substance stains foliage in yellow: plant pigments

Yellow color is very beautiful in the fall, especially on a clear and warm day. No wonder the autumn is called gold. Almost any plant changes its color, starting with yellow. Yes, some have the only color, and some have it only as an additional one.

A specific pigment is responsible for each color. Carotene - This pigment gives plants yellow. The word is familiar and you can often hear it in advertising. Perhaps many did not know its meaning. Or just didn’t even think what it is.
This pigment belongs to the group of carotenoids. Located in all leaves and plants. Located in them constantly. It’s just that chlorophyll prevails over carotene, so the leaves are mostly green. And after its breakdown, they begin to be painted in other colors.

Such a plant pigment is used as a natural dye. It is mined chemically, but exclusively from natural raw materials. It is widely used in the food industry and other areas.
Beta -carotenewho simply overshadowed the advertising business, also relate to carotenoids. The fact is that about 600 subspecies are accrued. It has almost all yellow, red, orange and even green vegetables and fruits. For example, green onions, tomato, pumpkin, persimmon, blueberries, sorrel carrots. List for a very long time. It is also very important to the human body.

What substance stains foliage into orange: plant pigments

The orange color is as yellow in the leaves constantly, it is simply overshadowed by chlorophyll. Thus, making plants green. And the orange color also begins to appear when the same chlorophyll is destroyed.

For orange, such a pigment as xantophyll. It also belongs to the class of carotenoids, like Carotin. After all, these colors are on a thin line among themselves.
I would like to note that carrots are staining this particular pigment. It is most in it. Therefore, this pigment is responsible for the orange color of all fruits and color.
Xantophylls, like other carotenoids, are necessary for the human body. Other living creatures too. Since they cannot independently synthesize it, but can only be obtained with food.

It is no secret that carrots are rich in vitamin A. Accordingly, all these pigments are the main carriers of this vitamin. More precisely, the predecessors.
It is also worth noting that they are antioxidants in our body. This aspect is known to every girl. Indeed, the appearance of the hair, nails and the body as a whole directly depends on this.

The strongest orange natural dyes

Each housewife came across in the kitchen with such a problem when, after, for example, beets, her hands became red. If a lot of carrots, then the same story can happen. Just the color is not so saturated, so not so noticeable. Also, having torn a certain flower, you can paint your hands in the appropriate color.

Natural dyes are widely used in cooking, for painting tissues, in medicine and cosmetology.
Coloring pigments produce bacteria, corals, mushrooms, algae and plants. Naturally, the corresponding color. Of course, plants are the most affordable.
You can get them yourself, the main thing is to observe the technology. It is also necessary to know which ingredients are suitable for these purposes.

Orange dyes:

carrot
leaves and flowers of celandine
mandarine and orange
paprika
shell from onions
pumpkin

As you can see, all products are available and almost all have orange color. You can also get such a dye by mixing yellow and red colors.

Leaves, which group of trees blush in the fall?

Probably, many noticed that not all trees have red in the fall. But what beauty does nature have. Especially, in a combination with yellow and orange colors. One gets the impression that the forest is shrouded in festive outfits. But what trees have a red tint? Let's look at this issue in more detail.

This color is not in the leaves constantly, but begins to be produced only after the collapse of chlorophyll
Usually, those trees that grow on a poor soil, not enriched by minerals, blush
An interesting fact - this color trees are used to scare away insects and pests
Anthocyan, the presence of which stains the foliage in red, helps to tolerate frosts and avoid hypothermia
More often found in trees such as maple, mountain ash, bird cherry and aspen

Changing the color of trees is a real miracle of nature that is so pleasant to observe. Rejoice yourself with pleasant emotions in the fall, because these are unforgettable pleasant sensations.