IB Biology HL C1.3.4 Photosynthetic Pigment Separation Questions

Explore how chromatography separates leaf pigments, how solubility affects their movement, and how Rf values support pigment identification in IB Biology HL C1.3.4.

Exam points

Explain how pigment solubility or affinity for the mobile and stationary phases separates photosynthetic pigments into distinct bands.
Calculate or interpret Rf as pigment distance divided by solvent-front distance, then compare values or colours with standards to identify pigments.
Describe the extraction and chromatographic procedure, including a suitable solvent, baseline spotting and development of separated bands.

[Maximum number: 1]

In water, shorter wavelengths of light such as blue and green penetrate deepest, and longer wavelengths of light penetrate less far. Red light does not reach depths of more than 50 m . Marine algae live at various water depths. Certain species of algae contain the pigments that enable them to adapt to life at different depths.

The graphs show the absorption and action spectra for two species of algae: Ulva taeniata, which is green, and Porphyra nereocystis, which is red.

Figure for Question IB Biology HL C1.3.4 Photosynthetic Pigment Separation Questions question 1 — IB Biology HL

Absorption / %

State the method used to separate photosynthetic pigments in a leaf extract.

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IB Biology HL C1.3.4 Photosynthetic Pigment Separation Questions question 1