Paper chromatography is a technique used to separate molecules based upon their size and solubility in a particular solvent. If pigments from a particular species of plant are extracted and subjected to paper chromatography, which of the following results is most likely?
A) Paper chromatography would produce a single band of pigment that is characteristic of that particular plant.
B) Paper chromatography would separate the pigments into two bands that appear green.
C) Paper chromatography would separate the pigments into several bands that appear green or yellow/orange.
D) Paper chromatography would separate the pigments into two bands, one that appears blue and one that appears red.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pigments from a particular species of plant typically contain multiple types of pigments, which exhibit different solubilities in the solvent used in paper chromatography. This usually results in the separation of the pigments into several bands with different colors, such as green or yellow/orange. Therefore, option C is the most likely result. Option A is too specific and unlikely, while option B and D are too simplistic and do not capture the diversity of pigments present in most plants.

Paper Chromatography Is a Technique Used to Separate Molecules Based