Figure 1 below shows a diagram of a chloroplast.
Figure 1
Identify the parts of a chloroplast labelled A-C in Figure 1.
The part of the chloroplast labelled B in Figure 1 contains various photosynthetic pigments.
Suggest why chloroplasts contain more than one different photosynthetic pigment.
The pigments in a chloroplast can be separated and identified using a technique called thin layer chromatography. After extracting pigments from a spinach leaf, a student carried out thin layer chromatography.
Some of their results can be seen in Figure 2 below.
Figure 2
Use the equation provided to calculate the Rf values for pigments X and Y in Figure 2.
Table 1 contains value ranges for the Rf values of common photosynthetic pigments.
Table 1
Pigment | Rf value range |
Carotene | 0.89-0.95 |
Neoxanthin | 0.05-0.11 |
Chlorophyll a | 0.64-0.69 |
Chlorophyll b | 0.53-0.62 |
Pheophytin a | 0.78-0.86 |
Use your answers to part c) to identify pigments X and Y from Figure 2.
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