Plant Pigment Spectrophotometry: Measuring Pigment Absorbance in Flowers and Leaves
by Scott Milne
In this lesson students explore the relationship between pigmentation and light absorbance. Students will use a spectrophotometer to analyze pigment samples and record the absorption spectrum for pigments found in leaves and flowers. Students work in groups to analyze samples and discuss the relationship between the colors of leaves and flowers, the pigments they contain, and the light they absorb or reflect. This lesson can be done as a stand alone lesson if pigments are available, but requires the separation of pigments beforehand and functions best as a follow up to the plant pigment chromatography lesson.