Experiments
Here are experiments our science specialists have selected to support this IB* topic.
Plant Pigments
Experiment #14 from Investigating Biology through Inquiry
In this Preliminary Activity, you will use a SpectroVis Plus spectrophotometer to determine and analyze the visible light absorbance spectrum of spinach extract. You will also determine and analyze the fluorescence spectrum of the same spinach extract sample. In fluorescence spectroscopy, a sample can be “excited” with a chosen wavelength of light and the resulting fluorescence from the sample can be measured and quantified.
After completing the Preliminary Activity, you will first use reference sources to find out more about plant pigments, visible light spectra, and fluorescence before you choose and investigate a researchable question dealing with visible light spectra and/or fluorescence spectra of plant pigment. Some topics to consider in your reference search are:
- plant pigment
- visible light
- spectrophotometer
- visible light spectrum
- chlorophyll
- carotenoids
- anthocyanin
- fluorescence
Plant Pigment Chromatography
Experiment #4A from Advanced Biology with Vernier
In this experiment, you will
- Separate plant pigments.
- Calculate the Rf values of the pigments.
- Educational Standard
- International Baccalaureate (IB) 2025
- Subject
- Biology
- Theme
- C Interactions and interdependence
- Level of organization
- 1 Molecules
- Topic
- C1.3 Photosynthesis
- Section
- Additional higher level
* The IB Diploma Program is an official program of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) which authorizes schools to offer it. The material available here has been developed independently of the IBO and is not endorsed by it.