We will determine how different intensities of light affect the rate of photosynthesis and we will figure out which kinds of pigments are most important in different plants. Finally, using a computer simulation package, we will investigate how several factors affect the efficiency of the photosynthetic process, including temperature, humidity, and the availability of 6CO2, water and light. This lab is intended to teach you how to use the very common laboratory technique of separating plant pigments via paper chromatography. We have prepared a spinach extract containing plenty of the various pigments associated with photosynthesis. You are going to make and test a series of hypotheses regarding the nature of these pigments.
Paper chromatography works on the simple principle of capillary action.
The chromatography paper is quite porous and the acetone will work its way up the paper taking the pigments along with it. You job is to hypothesize how the various pigments will travel based upon their chemical properties. In lab, I will give you the complicated chemical formulae for the pigments. You'll want to think about polarity and nonpolarity. The darker the dots, the better will be the results of the chromatographic separation.