Spinach Leaf Chromatography Lab To summarize chromatography is
Spinach Leaf Chromatography Lab To summarize: • chromatography is used to separate the different pigments found in a leaf • A pigment is a substance that absorbs light at certain wavelengths • Chlorophyll absorbs wavelengths of light that are red, orange, blue and violet • A plant looks green because the chlorophyll reflects the green-yellow wavelengths of light • Other pigments found in leaves are carotene (looks yellow/yellow orange), anthocyanin (looks red), xanthophyll (looks brown)
Spinach Leaf chromatography conclusion questions 1. We will skip this question as we were not able to calculate Rf values. 2. In the autumn, leaves changes color because the leaves stop making chlorophyll. This allows the other pigments to show. 3. The other pigments present in a leaf allow the plant to absorb wavelengths of light across the light spectrum, allowing it to make more food because it is able to use more available energy from the sun. 4. Some of the pigments move up the chromatography paper farther than others because they are smaller molecules. Smaller molecules will move farther and faster.
Spinach Leaf chromatography conclusion questions 5. Possible sources of error include improper set up of lab, not enough time for the pigment movement to take place, not enough spinach juice applied, incorrect/not enough solvent used.
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