Lab 5: Photosynthetic Pigments

Question 1

define: photosynthesis

Answer 1

process by which the energy of sunlight is harnessed and transformed in to storable chemical energy (eg: glocuse sugars)

Question 2

define: primary producers

- give some examples

Answer 2

• the foundation of an ecosystem. They form the basis of the food chain by creating food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis (opposite of us; consumers!)
• photosynthetic bacteria, algae, and plants

Question 3

define: pigments

Answer 3

• compounds that absorb light and there are several different kinds of pigments that are important for photosynthesis

Question 4

define: solvent front

Answer 4

• border between the wet and unwet paper

Question 5

What is an Rf value? Give the equation for it.

Answer 5

• number that reflects how far a pigment has moved from its origin relative to how far the solvent front moved (stands for relative to front)
• ex: value of 1.0 means the pigment spot centre moved all the way to the top of the paper with the solvent and a value of 0 means that the pigment spot did not move away from the origin
• Rf=distance travelled by pigment (from origin)/ distance traveled by solvent (from origin)

Question 6

Why does a plant leaf have 4 different kinds of pigments

Answer 6

Plants have 4 different kinds of pigments in order to absorb a broader spectrum of light waves and therefore obtain more energy its surroundings. This is most beneficial for the plant