Thin Layer Chromatography Of Amino Acids

Question 1

What is meant by separation science?

Answer 1

A collection of techniques used for separating complex mixtures of analytes

Question 2

What is the meaning of chromatography?

Answer 2

A physical method of separation in which to components to be separated are distributed between two phases (stationary and mobile phase)

Question 3

What is the stationary phase?

Answer 3

The plate surface which contains silica gel or aluminum oxide

Question 4

What is meant by the mobile phase?

Answer 4

The liquid media which flows through the plate and carries the analyte

Question 5

What is an analyte?

Answer 5

The chemical molecule being investigated

Question 6

What is a zwitter ion?

Answer 6

Neutral molecule with equal umber of + & - charges

Question 7

what are the classes of amino acids?

Answer 7

Depending on their side R-group they can be classified into

1) hydrophobic (R group not soluble in water)

2) polar neutral (high affinity for water forming hydrogen bond between one another)

3) acidic (R groups are ionized at specific pH)

4) Basic (R-group reacts with water to release hydroxide ions)

Question 8

What are the characteristics of amino acids?

Answer 8

White crystalline solids, with high melting point and high water solubilities

Question 9

What is an isoelectricpoint?

Answer 9

The pH at which there is no net charge on the zwitterions

Question 10

What is the formula to calculate the Rf value?

Answer 10

Rf = distance moved by the substrate from origin/distance moved by the solvent from origin