Content Objective: To explore how chromatography works, how it can be used and how to measure Photosynthesis.
Language Objective: To describe how the Rf value is calculated and use it to determine a pigment.
Book Reference: NA
Syllabus Details:
C1.3.4—Separation and identification of photosynthetic pigments by chromatography - "Students should be able to calculate Rf values from the results of chromatographic separation of photosynthetic pigments and identify them by colour and by values. Thin-layer chromatography or paper chromatography can be used."
C1.3.5—Absorption of specific wavelengths of light by photosynthetic pigments- "Include excitation of electrons within a pigment molecule, transformation of light energy to chemical energy and the reason that only some wavelengths are absorbed. Students should be familiar with absorption spectra. Include both wavelengths and colours of light in the horizontal axis of absorption spectra."
C1.3.6—Similarities and differences of absorption and action spectra - "Students should be able to determine rates of photosynthesis from data for oxygen production and carbon dioxide consumption for varying wavelengths. They should also be able to plot this data to make an action spectrum."
C1.3.7—Techniques for varying concentrations of carbon dioxide, light intensity or temperature experimentally to investigate the effects of limiting factors on the rate of photosynthesis - "Students should be able to suggest hypotheses for the effects of these limiting factors and explore protocols based upon their understanding of photosynthesis, and test these by experimentation."
C1.3.8—Carbon dioxide - Include enclosed greenhouse experiments and free-air carbon dioxide enrichment experiments (FACE).
Activity 1 - Absorption Spectrum