Separate and analyse amino acids using thin layer chromatography with this guided-inquiry kit.
Students practice their thin layer chromatography technique on 3 known amino acid samples, reinforcing theory and technique.
They calculate the retardation factor for each amino acid and make conclusions about the structure and properties of each amino acid based on its Rf value.
Students then separate an unknown mixture of amino acids and use their previous data and observations to identify the amino acids present in the sample.
Amino acids: Alanine. Phenylalanine. Glycine.
Kit includes:
Materials are sufficient for 10 groups of students.
- 1 Ninhydrin, 0.1%, 10 mL
- 1 1:1 Butanol/Acetone, 30 mL
- 1 3 M Hydrochloric Acid, 30 mL
- 1 2-Propanol, 100%, 30 mL
- 1 Glacial Acetic Acid, 15 mL
- 1 Amino Acid Set
- 3 Mini Spoon
- 10 Forceps
- 5 Pipets
- 12 Thin Layer Chromatography Plates
- 1 Capillary Tube Vial
- 12 Chromatography Chambers with Lids
- 1 Digital Resource Card
- 1 Teacher's Manual with Reproducible Student Guide
Needed but not included:
- 10 Pencils
- 10 Metric Rulers
- 4 Flasks, 50 mL
- 1 Flask, 100 mL
- 1 Graduated Cylinder, 100 mL (or smaller)
- Paper Towels
- Disposable Gloves
- Fume Hood
- Lab Oven or Hair Dryer (optional)
