Innovating Science® Chromatography of Plant Pigments

Learn about the different pigments in plant material and how chromatography can help to separate molecules in a mixture.

• Students will extract various pigments from plant material and perform a chromatography experiment to separate the molecules.
• Aligned to NGSS Practices
• Performance expectations: MS-LS1-6, MS-LS1-7, HS-LS1-5
• Disciplinary core ideas: LS1.C, LS1.B
• Cross cutting concepts include energy and matter; cause and effect
• Engineering practices include developing and using models; constructing explanations and designing solutions

Chlorophyll is the most prevalent and well-known plant pigment related to photosynthesis. It is not, however, the only plant pigment necessary for photosynthesis to occur. Other pigments are involved in the process. These pigments are often overlooked as they tend to be masked by the abundance of the green pigment chlorophyll.

In this activity, students will extract the various pigments from green plant material and separate the pigment using chromatography. Students will not only confirm the presence and learn the role of these 'hidden' pigments but also learn about chromatography as a technique for separating molecules. Kit contains enough materials for 15 groups and includes Teacher's Manual and Student Study Guide copymasters.

Delivery information: Instructor's manual and SDS included.

Caution: This product can expose you to chemicals including Methanol/Methyl isobutyl ketone, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and reproductive harm. For more information go to http://www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.