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does colourful leaves have chlorophyll in them ? if no , then how do they synthesize their own food ? |
The colours in leaves are caused by pigments,chemicals that reflect and absorb light selectively. Reflected light bounces off the leaf and some reaches our eyes. The absorbed light enters the plant Most plant colours are caused by the three families of the chlorophylls, carotenoids, Xanthophyll and Anthocyanins.. There are several types of chlorophyll ;chl a b and c pigments. Type band c are considered as accessory pigments. They absorb light of slightly different colours than chlorophyll a. These pigments trap energy from sunlight in a similar way to how chlorophyll does in green plant species. They use this energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen which can then be transported around the plant or stored as excess food sources for emergencies during which photosynthesis cannot take place at the required rate. |