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4(a)Biochemical Tests Laboratory MethodsMedium4 marks

A student separated the pigments in a plant leaf using paper chromatography. The student analysed the positions of the separated pigments to identify the pigments. Figure 4.1 shows the chromatogram results and analysis.

Figure 4.1, a paper chromatogram strip with a pencil line marked near its base and four separated pigment bands running up the strip, matching the R$_{f}$ values and pigment names given alongside: 0.45 chlorophyll b, 0.65 chlorophyll a, 0.71 xanthophyll, 0.95 carotene.

R_{f}

values and pigment identities

$R_{f}$ value	pigment
0.95	carotene
0.71	xanthophyll
0.65	chlorophyll a
0.45	chlorophyll b

The student was provided with a prepared extract containing the leaf pigments. Outline how the student obtained the results shown in Figure 4.1 and analysed them to deduce the names of the pigments present.

Answer

0 words

May/June 2026 Paper 41

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