Which pigments are always present in leaves and become visible when chlorophyll breaks down in autumn?

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Multiple Choice

Which pigments are always present in leaves and become visible when chlorophyll breaks down in autumn?

Explanation:
Carotenoids are always present in leaves, giving yellow to orange hues. Chlorophyll masks these colors during the growing season, but as chlorophyll breaks down in autumn, the carotenoids become visible. Anthocyanins may appear in some species in fall but aren’t guaranteed present every year, since they’re produced in response to specific conditions. Lignin isn’t a pigment at all—it’s a structural component of cell walls. Chlorophyll itself is the pigment that fades, revealing carotenoids.

Carotenoids are always present in leaves, giving yellow to orange hues. Chlorophyll masks these colors during the growing season, but as chlorophyll breaks down in autumn, the carotenoids become visible. Anthocyanins may appear in some species in fall but aren’t guaranteed present every year, since they’re produced in response to specific conditions. Lignin isn’t a pigment at all—it’s a structural component of cell walls. Chlorophyll itself is the pigment that fades, revealing carotenoids.

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