Chromatography of Plant Pigments

Grades 7-12.

Chlorophyll is not the only plant pigment necessary for photosynthesis to occur. 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 a teacher’s manual and student study guide copy-masters. Aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)*.

Disciplinary Core Ideas: LS1.C, LS1.B

Performance Expectations: MS-LS1-6, MS-LS1-7, HS-LS1-5

Cross Cutting Concepts: Energy and Matter, Cause and Effect

Engineering Practices: Developing and Using Models, Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions

Kit includes:

• 250 ml chromatography solvent 9-1 (petroleum ether/acetone)
• 100 ml plant pigment extraction solvent (ethanol)
• 15 microscope slides
• 15 pieces of chromatography paper
• 15 capillary tubes

* Next Generation Science Standards is a registered trademark of Achieve. Neither Achieve nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards was involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.