The figure shows a chromatogram made from spinach leaf extract. A student used a solvent to separate pigments before investigating which colours of light ga...
Question 1 Report
The figure shows a chromatogram made from spinach leaf extract. A student used a solvent to separate pigments before investigating which colours of light gave the greatest oxygen output.
(a) Describe what the separated bands show about spinach leaf extract. [2]
(b) Suggest why a plant has pigments other than chlorophyll. [1]
(c) Use your knowledge of photosynthesis to suggest why green light often gives a lower oxygen output than red light. [2]
(d) Name the gas used by chloroplasts to make glucose. [1]
(e) Suggest one safety precaution when using an organic solvent. [1]
Answer Details
- (a) The separate bands show that spinach leaf extract contains more than one pigment. The pigments moved different distances because they have different solubilities in the solvent or different attractions to the paper. [2]
- (b) Other pigments allow the plant to absorb additional wavelengths of light. [1]
- (c) Green light is mainly reflected or transmitted rather than absorbed by chlorophyll. Less light energy is therefore available for photosynthesis, so less oxygen is produced. [2]
- (d) The gas used by chloroplasts to make glucose is carbon dioxide. [1]
- (e) Keep the organic solvent away from flames. Goggles or good ventilation are also acceptable precautions. [1]
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