Define the following terms: photosynthesis chromatography absorption spectrum action spectrum chlorophylls carotenoids (carotene and xanthophyll)

Biochemistry
9th Edition
ISBN:9781319114671
Author:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Publisher:Lubert Stryer, Jeremy M. Berg, John L. Tymoczko, Gregory J. Gatto Jr.
Chapter1: Biochemistry: An Evolving Science
Section: Chapter Questions
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Introduction

The major context for this lab is photosynthesis, and the overall equation for photosynthesis is:

12 H2O + 6 CO2+ light energy → C6H12O6+ 6O2+ 6 H2O

Exercise A: Photosynthetic Pigments

Watch the following two videos about plant pigments and chromatography. To analyze the data we’ll give you, you’ll need to understand what types of pigments are found in a leaf, and understand some general characteristics of those pigments.

  • Photosynthetic Pigments (~3 min)
    • link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwz3qozDiyI
  • Leaf Color Chromatography (~4.5 min)
    • link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH-AJDqsSII

Answer the below questions :

 

  • Define the following terms:
    • photosynthesis
    • chromatography
    • absorption spectrum
    • action spectrum
    • chlorophylls
    • carotenoids (carotene and xanthophyll)

 

  • Referring to the Photosynthetic Pigments video, in the table below, write in the peak wavelength ranges absorbed by each of the following pigments. Include the colors that are associated with those wavelengths.

Pigment

Wavelengths utilized for photosynthesis

carotenoids

 

chlorophyll a

 

chlorophyll b

 

  • If a pigment shows a high peak of absorption at a specific wavelength of light, does light of that wavelength power photosynthesis?
    • Explain using information from the video.
  • Identify the pigments that are most associated with the fall colors of leaves.
    • Are those pigments found in a leaf even when it is green, like during the spring and summer?
    • If those pigments are found in leaves throughout the year, what is the main reason we do not see those colors year-round?

 

  • Based on your answers to the above questions, complete the statements about the role of pigments in photosynthesis found below.

 

  • In the absorption spectrum shown in the Photosynthetic Pigment video (at time 1:18), do most pigments show a peak or a valley at wavelengths between 550 nm - 600 nm?
  • What color corresponds to the 550-600 nm range of light wavelengths?
  • In general, do we see or not see these colors (those that correspond to the 550- 600 nm range of light wavelengths) in plant cells?
  • Based on this, is the color we associate with plant cells absorbed or not absorbed by plant pigments?
  • Based on this, does the color we associate with plant cells contribute or not contribute to photosynthesis?
Exercise B: Spinach Leaf Pigments
Chromatography separates pigments based on their size, solubility, and ability to
move up a mobilized surface such as coffee filter paper. This video shows the steps
for generating the chromatogram below.
Orange band
Yellow band
Bright Green band
Olive Green band
Pencil line
Figure 1: Spinach leaf extract chromatogram. Spinach leaves were lined up along the
pencil line and the pigment was applied to the chromatogram paper along the pencil
line. The chromatogram was then placed in a beaker with chromatography solvent and
pigments were allowed to separate.
Based on the information you got from the pigment videos in Activity A, identify which
bands in the chromatogram shown above correspond to each of the following pigments:
• carotenoids
• chlorophyll a
• chlorophyll b
Exercise C: Spectrophotometry
Watch this video to learn how a spectrophotometer works. For additional information,
Transcribed Image Text:Exercise B: Spinach Leaf Pigments Chromatography separates pigments based on their size, solubility, and ability to move up a mobilized surface such as coffee filter paper. This video shows the steps for generating the chromatogram below. Orange band Yellow band Bright Green band Olive Green band Pencil line Figure 1: Spinach leaf extract chromatogram. Spinach leaves were lined up along the pencil line and the pigment was applied to the chromatogram paper along the pencil line. The chromatogram was then placed in a beaker with chromatography solvent and pigments were allowed to separate. Based on the information you got from the pigment videos in Activity A, identify which bands in the chromatogram shown above correspond to each of the following pigments: • carotenoids • chlorophyll a • chlorophyll b Exercise C: Spectrophotometry Watch this video to learn how a spectrophotometer works. For additional information,
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