Absorption Spectra of Photosynthetic Pigments
Methodology
Paper chromatography was used to separate the photosynthetic pigments in spinach (Spinacia oleracea) leaves. The pigments were allowed to separate for approximately a 15 minute period in an organic solvent – acetone. The pigment bands were cut out and submerged in acetone. A spectrophotometer was used to compare the relative absorption of pigment samples as compared to the control sample. Individual and combined pigments were analyzed at a 20nm resolution within the visible light spectrum from 400nm to 720nm.
Results
Figures 1 – 4 | Relative absorption of photosynthetic pigments at various wavelengths of the visible light spectrum (400nm to 720nm). White dotted line represents absorption of all pigments. Chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b are shown as dark and light green lines respectively, β-carotene is shown as an orange line, and xanthophyll is shown as a red line.