Question
Based on your results, what are the optimum wavelengths of lightfor absorption by each pigment? How do the results compare to thepredictions you made? Do your findings correspond with those notedin the
Table1.1 RF values of common photosynthetic pigments
Line number
Band distance from origin (cm)
Solvent distance from the origin (cm)
RF Value
Photosynthetic Pigment name
1
1.5
5.5
0.27272
Xanthophylls
2
3
5.5
0.54545
Chlorophyll b
3
4
5.5
0.72727
Chlorophyll a
4
5
5.5
0.90909
Carotene
Line number
Band distance from origin (cm)
Solvent distance from the origin (cm)
RF Value
Photosynthetic Pigment name
1
1.5
5.5
0.27272
Xanthophylls
2
3
5.5
0.54545
Chlorophyll b
3
4
5.5
0.72727
Chlorophyll a
4
5
5.5
0.90909
Carotene
Explanation / Answer
NAME OF THE PIGMENT MAXIMUM ABSORPTION MINIMUM ABSORPTION XANTHOPHYLLS 440 AND 460 560 CHLOROPHYLL a 420 720 AND 700 CHLOROPHYLL B 420 500 CAROTENE 440 520 AND 540 From this table it isevident that xanthophylls show maximum absorption at 440 and 460 nmand minimum absorption at 560nm. Chlorophyll a showsmaximum absorption at 420nm and minimum at 720 and 700 nm. Chlorophyll b showsmaximum absorption at 420nm ,minimum absorption at 500nm and doesnot show any absorption beyond700nm. Carotene shows maximumabsorption at 440nm , minimum absorption at 520 and 540 nm anddoes not show any absorption beyond 700nm. The optimum absorption ofall the pigments is in the range of 420 to 460. By comparing with thestandard values the predictions made are right. Yeah, these findingscorrespond to the onei n the literature. Hope this answer helpsyou. NAME OF THE PIGMENT MAXIMUM ABSORPTION MINIMUM ABSORPTION XANTHOPHYLLS 440 AND 460 560 CHLOROPHYLL a 420 720 AND 700 CHLOROPHYLL B 420 500 CAROTENE 440 520 AND 540