What is the primary effect of leaveners on dough?

Leaveners primarily function to increase the volume of dough by producing gases that cause it to rise. When ingredients such as yeast, baking soda, or baking powder are used, they create carbon dioxide or other gases during the baking process. This gas gets trapped in the structure of the dough, leading to an expansion that results in a lighter and fluffier final product. This volume increase is essential for the development of baked goods like bread, cakes, and pastries, as it significantly affects their overall structure and appearance.

While flavor enhancement, color improvement, and texture modification are also important in baking, they are not the primary role of leavening agents. Instead, these agents are specifically designed to introduce air into the mixture, which is the key to achieving the desired rise and volume in baked goods.