Chromatography of Chlorophyll Pigments.: How to separate pigments found in green leaves?

Question

>List down the pigments found in green leaves.

>Is there any evidence tat there is more than one pigment in your extract?

>How many color bands did you observe? What are they?

>Are all the bands of the same width? Account for this?

>Analysis and Conclusions

>Why do you have to avoid putting your fingers all over the paper?

>Why do the anthocyanins not appear onyour chromatogram?

>Although different pigments are present in leaves, leaves appear green. Explain.

>How would you explain the fact that plants turn yellow when left in the dark?

>Loom at your chromatogram again, and explain why the pigments separated?

>Give at least one use of chromatography in the laboratory.

Answer 1

In order for you to answer these questions, you need to do an experiment to find out the separtion of the different chlorophylls. If you want to do the experiment, then take a few leaves from plant, crush in a glass bowl with some sand and use a stone, add some rubbing alcohol to this mixture, then place two to three drops on a coffee filter and note the color separation. This is a quick and easy way to determine the color separation.

*Note: some pigments are more abundant at certain times of year, for example chlorophylls A and B (green) have a higher concentration than the beta carotenes (orange) and other fall color pigments.

Pigmenst separate by size, weight, and polarity.

Example in laboratory: TLC (thin layer chromatography)

I know these question are your experiemnts from class, but I gave you a few hints and an experiment to figure out the rest of these questions. Next time, pay attention to the experiments you do in class. The rest of the answer can be googled.

good luck.