Plant pigments: a teaching alternative in plant physiology classes using the paper chromatography technique

Abstract

Plant Physiology is the branch of botany that explores and studies the vital phenomena for the permanence of plants in different environments, addressing different interdisciplinary contents. One of the fundamental contents discussed is photosynthesis, a process by which plants and some other organisms transform light energy into chemical energy. This process occurs in photosystems, which are made up of accessory proteins and pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, β-carotenes and xanthophylls). These pigments, when they receive sunlight, reflect different colors and may have specific functions, with the paper chromatography technique being a method of extracting them. Knowing that practical classes are fundamental for the teaching and learning process, this work aimed to use the paper chromatography technique, a widely used method to separate plant pigments, as an alternative teaching in photosynthesis classes during the monitoring period at discipline of Plant Physiology in a higher education class, remotely. Green leaves of a plant were used (student's choice); reddish/purple leaves of a plant (student's choice) or half of a beet; half a carrot, to extract plant pigments in different species. At the end of the experiment, a questionnaire was carried out where a positive result was obtained, according to the evaluation criteria established by the monitors, which it is possible to obtain during remote classes for practical activities in the teaching process. Through online classes, practical activities in Vegetal Physiology capable of contributing to student education can be carried out.