Lab 3 - Paper Chromatography of Amino Acids

Question 1

Stationary phase

Answer 1

Paper

Question 2

Mobile phase

Answer 2

Solvent

Question 3

Retardation Factor

Answer 3

The migration rate of the solute in the direction of solvent flow

Question 4

The migration rate of the solute in the direction of the solvent flow

Answer 4

Retardation Factor

Question 5

Rf formula

Answer 5

(Distance Solute Moved) / (Distance Solvent Moved)

Question 6

Why do we use known standard amino acids for the Rf experiment?

Answer 6

Rf values for particular components can be compared only with other values obtained under precisely similar experimental conditions

Question 7

How do we detect the amino acids on the chromatography paper?

Answer 7

The most common means of detection is the ninhydrin reaction, which gives amino groups a red-purple color and is extremely sensitive

Question 8

Ninhydrin

Answer 8

Detects amino groups giving them a red-purple color

Question 9

The four main differences between thin-layer and paper chromatography

Answer 9

1. TLC is faster
2. TLC is 10 - 100 times more sensitive
3. TLC can utilize a great variety of absorbent materials and is particularly superior for lipophilic substances
4. TLC can use more drastic chemical detection methods

Question 10

Partitioning

Answer 10

Takes place between the stationary and mobile phases and varies depending on if the sample is attracted to the solvent or the paper

Question 11

Takes place between the stationary and mobile phases and varies depending on if the sample is attracted to the solvent or the paper

Answer 11

Partitioning