Edexcel A-Level Biology B 9BI0
Biological Molecules
Cells, Viruses and Reproduction of Living Things
Classification and Biodiversity
Exchange and Transport
Energy for Biological Processes
Microbiology and Pathogens
Modern Genetics
Origins of Genetic Variation
Control Systems
Ecosystems
Energy for Biological Processes
Photosynthetic pigments and chromatography
- 3 things to know
- Papers 1 and 3
Overview
Recall questions on why plants have several photosynthetic pigments, extracting and separating them by chromatography, and calculating and using Rf values to identify them.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
State the formula for calculating Rꜰ value.
Why do plants possess multiple photosynthetic pigments rather than just one?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Why do plants possess multiple photosynthetic pigments rather than just one?
Model answer
To absorb a wider range of wavelengths of light than a single pigment could absorb alone.
- 2
How does having a variety of photosynthetic pigments benefit a plant?
Model answer
It increases the overall efficiency of light absorption for photosynthesis.
- 3
Why do different photosynthetic pigments allow plants to capture more light energy?
Model answer
Different pigments have different absorption spectra, allowing the plant to capture light energy across more of the visible spectrum.
- 4
How can the different pigments in a chloroplast be separated and identified?
Model answer
By chromatography: an extract of chloroplast pigments is spotted onto the medium, a solvent carries the pigments different distances according to their solubility, and each is identified from its colour and its Rf value.
- 5
On what basis do chloroplast pigments separate during chromatography?
Model answer
Based on their relative solubility in the solvent and their adsorption to the stationary phase.
- 6
Why do different pigments travel different distances during chromatography?
Model answer
Because they have different solubilities in the mobile phase and different degrees of adsorption to the stationary phase.
Other ways to work this
The same content, four other ways.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Every question in Energy for Biological Processes, on a schedule.
Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.
Or £46 a year, about £3.83 a month. Cancel anytime.