Plant Pigments
Which phytochemical produces green pigments in plants?
Chlorophyll
What is the name of the astronomical event that changes summer to fall?
The autumnal equinox
What did we plant together this quarter?
Garlic!
Is a maple tree coniferous or deciduous?
Deciduous!
Why is photosynthesis important for humans?
It's how we get oxygen so we can breathe!
What colors do carotenoids produce in plants?
Yellow, orange, and red
What causes deciduous trees to change color in the fall?
Reduction in sunlight (days getting shorter)
What plant did we use to make paint?
Pokeweed!
Is a pine tree deciduous or coniferous?
Coniferous
Why is photosynthesis important for plants?
It's how they get energy to live and grow
What part of the human body can the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, be found in?
The eye!
When a birch tree's leaves changes from green to yellow, what is happening?
The chlorophyll that was present in the leaves in the summertime is breaking down to reveal the yellow carotenoids that were always there, but were masked by the green of the chlorophyll
Why did we go over to the makerspace?
To get woodchips for mulch!
Bonus: for kitty time
What is a deciduous plant?
A plant that uses its leaves for part of the year
What is photosynthesis?
The process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and energy in the form of sugar
What phytonutrient produces deep purple, blue, and red colors in plants?
Anthocyanins
When a sugar maple's leaves change from green to red in the fall, what is occurring?
After the chlorophyll starts breaking down in the leaves, the tree starts to produce red anthocyanins
Bonus: the high amounts of sugar trapped in the leaves make the color vivid
What edible flower did we try on the day we learned about carotenoids?
Nasturtium!
What is a conifer?
A plant that produces cones, has needle or scale-like leaves, and is evergreen.
What kind of sugar do plants produce during photosynthesis?
Glucose
What is the name of the phytochemical found in pokeweed, dragonfruit, prickly pear cactus, and beets that produces a vibrant magenta color?
Betalain
Why do some tree leaves turn from green to brown in fall (instead of yellow, orange, or red)?
The leaves of some trees are high in tannins, which produce brown pigments. When the chlorophyll breaks down, the tannins are left behind.
Example: oak trees
What is the name of the flower we collected seeds from at the start of the quarter?
Love in a Puff!
What are hardwood and softwood trees?
Hardwoods are deciduous and softwoods are coniferous
Where in a plant cell is chlorophyll found?
In the chloroplasts!