Why are leaves green?
Leaves are green because they're full of a green stuff called chlorophyll.
Pip’s answer
- Leaves are green because they're full of a green stuff called chlorophyll.
- Chlorophyll catches sunlight so the leaf can make food for the plant.
- It soaks up red and blue light, but bounces green light back to our eyes.
- Ooh, every green leaf is a tiny sunshine kitchen! Yum!
For grown-ups
Leaves contain chlorophyll, a pigment that absorbs mostly red and blue light to power photosynthesis and reflects green light, so leaves look green to us. Leaves also contain yellow and orange pigments that become visible in autumn when chlorophyll breaks down.
Ask your child: Can you find leaves that are three different shades of green?
More questions kids ask
- 🌱Why do plants need sunshine?
- 🍂Why do leaves change color?
- 🌲Why do pine trees stay green in winter?
- 🌻Why do sunflowers face the sun?
- 🌱Why do seeds grow?
- 🍎Why do apples grow on trees?
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