Chloroplasts contain various photosynthetic pigments.
State the role of a 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 below.
Use the equation provided to calculate the Rf values for pigments X and Y.
The table below contains value ranges for the Rf values of common photosynthetic pigments.
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 b) to identify pigments X and Y from part b).
Did this page help you?