Why are most leaves green?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Chlorophyll reflects green light
Green pigment is cheapest — Wrong. Evolution doesn't work by cost efficiency of pigments. Chlorophyll evolved because it effectively captures the most useful wavelengths of light for photosynthesis.
Chlorophyll reflects green light ✓ — Correct! Leaves contain chlorophyll, which absorbs red and blue light for photosynthesis. Green light is not absorbed, so it bounces back to our eyes. That's why leaves look green. This color isn't random - chlorophyll evolved to capture the most useful light wavelengths for making food!
Matches the environment — Wrong. Leaves aren't green to camouflage with the environment. The green color is a byproduct of chlorophyll reflecting green light while absorbing red and blue for photosynthesis.