photosynthesis

(CHROMATOGRAPHY TECHNIQUE)

Objectives
-To demonstrate chromatography
technique to separate the photosynthetic
pigments
-To calculate the Rr value

Cut approximately 20g of fresh leave

using a blade.

2. Grind the leaves and add 5 mL

acetone gradually.

3. Leave them for 10 minutes.

Carotene, Rf = 10.3 /11= 0.94 4.RESULT AND

TABLE
Chlorophyll b, Rf = 3.2/11 = 0.29

Chlorophyll a, Rf = 5.2/11 = 0.47

Xanthophyll, Rf = 6.8/11 = 0.62

Phaeophytin, Rf = 8.7 /11= 0.79

Questions
1. Do the leaf extracts from different
plants contain the same pigments?
Explain why.
Many different plants use variants of the same pigments to protect
themselves. reds and oranges/yellows and Green, since it is produced from
the abundance of chlorophyll. Most plants have chlorophyll and only
produce pigments as a stress response.

2.Name the most common pigment which is usually found in many
plants. Explain your answer.
Chlorophyll a is the most common of the six, present in every plant that
performs photosynthesis.Chlorophyll a is the most important
photosynthetic pigment because it is directly involved in the conversion
of light energy (photons) to chemical energy.
3. Why do plants have
different types of pigment?
Multiple pigments allow the plant to have both
photosynthesis and cellular respiration to maximize
the amount of energy they capture from the sun.
CONCLUSION
We are able to demonstrate chromatography
technique to separate the photosynthetic
pigments and we are able to calculate Rf value.
Paper chromatography proved to be an accurate
method of separating and observing the various
colours of plant pigments.
References
Campbell, N. A., Reece, J. B., Urry, L. A.,
Cain, M. L., Wassermen, S. A., Minorsky,
P. V. & Jackson, R. B. (2018). Biology.
(11th Ed.). Pearson Benjamin
Cummings. USA.