Final answer:
Chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b have similar structures with a slight variation in the side chain. The differences in their side chain structures can affect their solubility in a given solvent. Chlorophyll b may have slightly higher solubility due to the presence of the aldehyde group in its side chain.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b are two types of pigments found in plants and algae. They have similar structures, with the main difference being a slight variation in the structure of a side chain. Chlorophyll a has a methyl group (-CH3) in its side chain, while chlorophyll b has an aldehyde group (-CHO) instead.
The differences in the side chain structure of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b can affect their solubility in different solvents. In the given solvent, which is 9 parts per ether and 1 part acetone, both chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b are expected to be soluble. However, chlorophyll b may have slightly higher solubility due to the presence of the aldehyde group in its side chain, which can enhance its interaction with the acetone component of the solvent.