This activity focuses on photosynthetic organisms, particularly microalgae. These unicellular organisms are observed through optical microscopes and pigments are extracted and separated using paper chromatography.

Photosynthetic organisms contain a large variety of pigments that allow us to see colours. Relevant pigments include chlorophylls (colour green), as well as carotenes (orange), xanthophylls (yellow), anthocyanins (reddish, purple or blueish hues) and phycobilins (blue, pink or violet). The specific colour of an alga or plant depends generally on the predominant pigment or combination of them. These pigments have complex chemical structures and their function is to capture light energy that is transformed into chemical energy through photosynthesis. This activity focuses on photosynthetic organisms, particularly microalgae. These unicellular organisms are observed through optical microscopes and pigments are extracted and separated using paper chromatography.

Coordinated by: Julia M. Esclapez Espliego, Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Edaphology and Agricultural Chemistry

Date and Time:

Friday 29 September 2023

11 a.m.-2 p.m. for secondary education and vocational education centres

5.30 p.m.-midnight for the general public

Place: University of Alicante – San Vicente del Raspeig Campus – Sundial, Hangar, Control Tower and nearby areas.