Question

Why boil the leaf at all? What was the goal?

A) To extract pigments for chromatography
B) To sterilize the leaf surface
C) To induce photosynthesis
D) To measure leaf temperature

Answer 1

The purpose of boiling a leaf in scientific studies is to extract pigments for chromatography and subsequent analysis with a spectrophotometer or through various chromatography methods, to understand which wavelengths of light the plant can absorb for photosynthesis and other functions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The goal of boiling a leaf in the context of studying photosynthetic organisms is A) To extract pigments for chromatography. Scientists use this technique to isolate different pigments found within the leaf, which can then be analyzed to determine which wavelengths of light the organism can absorb.

This is done by using a spectrophotometer or by performing various types of chromatography. For instance, extracting pigments from leaves and using them in a spectrophotometer allows scientists to generate absorption spectra, while chromatography separates the pigments based on their affinity to solid and mobile phases.

Extracting pigments is essential not only to study the photosynthesis process but also to understand the different functionalities of each pigment. Chlorophyll, for example, is a crucial pigment that absorbs light for photosynthesis. Colors like red, blue, or purple in leaves are due to other pigments which may serve to attract pollinators or protect the plant from excess light.