Photosynthesis Trivia

1. Why do tree leaves turn color in the fall? The carotenoids (pigments in the photosynthesizing cells), which are responsible for the fall colors, are always present in leaves. They are eclipsed by green chlorophyll during the growing season, however. Toward the end of summer, when the chlorophyll production ceases, the other colors of the carotenoids (such as yellow, organge, red, or purple) become visible. back to questions

2. Who is regarded as the father of botany? The ancient Greek thinker, Theophrastus, is known as the father of botany. His two large botanical works, On the History of Plants and On the Causes of Plants were so comprehensive that 1,800 years passed before any new discovery in botany was made. He integrated the practice of agriculture into botany and established a theory of plant growth and the analysis of plant structure. He identified, classified, and described 550 different plants. back to questions