Question

question 3 (1 point)
what is the role of ninhydrin in this lab?
a) to help dry the chromatogram
b) to increase the speed the solvent travels up the paper
c) to react with the amino acids to produce a colored spot
d) to help separate the amino acids

Explanation:

Ninhydrin is a chemical reagent. In chromatography - related labs (especially when dealing with amino - acids), it reacts with amino - acids. The reaction between ninhydrin and amino - acids forms a colored product (usually a purple - colored complex for primary amino - acids). This colored spot helps in visualizing the amino - acids on the chromatogram.

• Option A: Ninhydrin has no drying property for the chromatogram.
• Option B: It does not affect the speed of the solvent.
• Option D: The separation of amino - acids is mainly due to the principles of chromatography (differential solubility in mobile and stationary phases), not ninhydrin.

Answer:

C. To react with the amino acids to produce a colored spot