Question

Photosynthetic pigments such as chl $a$, chl $b$, xanthophyll and carotene can be separated by which of the following techniques?

• A. Paper chromatography
• B. Gel Electrophoresis
• C. X-ray diffusion
• D. ELISA test

Answer 1

The correct option is A Paper chromatography

Paper chromatography is a technique used to separate pigments according to their relative solubility and molecular weight. A chromatographic separation of the leaf pigments shows that the color that we see in leaves is not due to a single pigment but due to four pigments ;

chlorophyll a (appears bright or blue-green in the chromatogram)

chlorophyll b (yellow-green)

xanthophylls (yellow)

carotenoids (yellow to yellow-orange).

So the correct answer is 'Paper chromatography'.