Why is Chromatography carried out in the dark?

Why is Chromatography carried out in the dark?, Separation of photosynthetic pigments

Think about what happens to the photosynthetic pigments when exposed to light, and could change their mass. Why would this be a bad thing during chromatography?

Reply 2

JJV17

Original post by lizardlizard

Think about what happens to the photosynthetic pigments when exposed to light, and could change their mass. Why would this be a bad thing during chromatography?

Thanks, Im not really sure what happens to the photosynthetic pigments when exposed to light, but you stating about their mass, maybe they could gain or loose mass? Therefore, gaining mass would be bad as they wont be able to travel up the chromatography plate higher than they should? therefore affecting their Rf value? vise versa with loosing mass.

Reply 3

lizardlizard

During photosynthesis, the photosystems are photoionised (ionised by light) which can affect their mass, I'm not sure what the exact ionisation reaction is but it would change the mass of the photosystems depending on if they were ionised or not. You also might have some functioning structures like electron transport chains remaining in your chromatography paper - although there will obviously be very little energy generation, these could start reating molecules like water into hydrogen ions and oxygen, forming gases and affecting your chromatography.

Reply 4

JJV17

Original post by lizardlizard

Ok many thanks! :smile:

Reply 5

lukeschoield20

Original post by lizardlizard

Think about what happens to the photosynthetic pigments when exposed to light, and could change their mass. Why would this be a bad thing during chromatography?