Pigment Chromatography Lab

Plant leaves contain different color pigments that give the leaf color Plant leaves contain different color pigments that give the leaf color. Plant pigments come in many different colors but we are the most familiar with chlorophyll because of its important job in photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is the green pigment that absorbs energy from the sun to power photosynthesis. As sunlight hits the leaves of the plant, yellow and green light are reflected while red and blue light are absorbed by chlorophyll. The reflected yellow and green light makes the leaves appear green to our eyes.

pigment – a substance that gives something color. vocabulary words! pigment – a substance that gives something color. chlorophyll – the pigment that is green and allows some organisms to perform photosynthesis.

Write down the three common plant pigments and what color each one is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH-AJDqsSII Write down the three common plant pigments and what color each one is.

This is what your notes should look like so far:

We will create a lab report on your paper for today. Write “observation:” then answer this question - What color(s) can you see on the leaf? Make sure you write a complete sentence.

What question could you ask about the colors in this leaf? Write the word “question:” Does the spinach leaf have more than one color pigment?

What do you think the final result of the experiment will be? Write the word “hypothesis:” Write down your prediction of what will happen during the experiment. It should be a statement and a complete sentence.

Materials 1 piece of chromatography paper popsicle stick scissors mortar and pestle spinach leaf 90% rubbing alcohol 1 beaker

Procedure 1. Write your name on one end of the chromatography paper.

Pour 10 mL of alcohol in the beaker. Take three droppers of the dark green spinach juice and add it too the beaker. Stir the alcohol and juice.

5. Take the piece of chromatography paper and place one end in the juice. 6. fold the other end over the popsicle stick so it hangs.

7. Allow it to sit in the beaker as long as possible.

Write down the results of the experiment. Write the word “data:” Write down what you see on your chromatography paper. Describe it in as much detail as you can.

Write down the your conclusion. Write the word “conclusion:” Write down a reply to your hypothesis. Did you see more than one color, what colors do you see?

Once the paper has dried, staple it onto your notes.

Complete the worksheet for the lab Complete the worksheet for the lab. You may work with other students at your table and use the internet to research the extension questions.