Why And How Do Leaves Change Colors? Episode 49

Nat Theo Nature Lessons Rooted in the Bible

Why does a tree have leaves, and if they are so important, why do leaves fall off a tree? Discover why a tree lets its leaves go and why those leaves turn many different colors before they fall off.

Here’s our trail map:

• What Is A Forest Biome?
• What Are Coniferous And Deciduous Trees?
• What Is The Job Of A Tree Leaf?
• Why Do Trees Lose Their Leaves?
• Why Do Leaves Change Colors?
• How Can We Let Others Around Us See God’s Beauty Inside Us?

Resources Mentioned and used for Research:

Apologia Leaf Color Experiment: https://www.apologia.com/blog/fall-in-love-with-the-science-of-autumn-hidden-colors-activity/

Access full Episode Lesson Guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/club

Free Tree Leaf Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/tree-leaves-change-colors/

Explore Apologia’s curriculum and classes: https://www.apologia.com/

Apologia’s Swimming Creatures Zoology Curriculum: https://www.apologia.com/shop/zoology-2-advantage-set/

Explore CTCMath with a FREE weekly trial: https://www.ctcmath.com/

Find great Christian books and resources at Christianbook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/

Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:

“So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, ‘This man was one of Jesus’ followers!’

But Peter denied it. ‘Woman,’ he said, ‘I don’t even know him!’

After a while someone else looked at him and said, ‘You must be one of them!’

‘No, man, I’m not!’ Peter retorted.

About an hour later someone else insisted, ‘This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.’

But Peter said, ‘Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.’ And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: ‘Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.’ And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.” Luke 22:54-62 (NLT)

“We cannot keep quiet. We must speak about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20 (NCV)

“I am not ashamed of the Good News, because it is the power God uses to save everyone who believes…” Romans 1:16 (NCV)

Terms Learned in This Episode:

Biome: A large area in the world with a specific climate including weather patterns and temperature where certain plants and creatures live.

Coniferous Tree: A tree that makes cones, has needles for leaves, and most keep their leaves (needles) all year long.

Deciduous Tree: Deciduous means “falling Off.” A deciduous tree has leaves that fall off. Most deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall, but some lose them in spring.

Marcescence: When a tree holds on to its dead, faded, withering leaves. This happens in the case of some oak trees that keep their browned leaves through winter then lose them in spring when new buds form.

Photosynthesis: A process controlled by sunlight that puts things in a plant together to turn them into energy. Photosynthesis allows a plant to use the sun’s energy to make food.

Dormant: When something is not active or growing but can become active and grow more in the future.

Chlorophyll: The pigment in plants that makes them green, including tree leaves.

Xanthophylls: The pigment that makes leaves yellow, always present in leaves but not always visible.

Carotenes: The pigment that makes leaves orange, always present in leaves but not always visible.

Anthocyanins: The pigment that makes leaves red or purple, produced in the autumn after a hard freeze traps sugars in a leaf.

Evergreen: A coniferous tree that keeps its leaves all year long and does not shed them.

Mentioned in this episode:

Nat Theo Shop: https://erynlynum.myshopify.com/