Beetroot pigments

... Assessed Practical Plan I plan to investigate the effects of varying temperature on the movement of pigment molecules across a membrane, travelling out of beetroot cells. Aim: The aim of this investigation is to determine the effect that temperature has on the rate of diffusion of beetroot pigments when slices of beetroot are placed in various temperatures of water. Background Knowledge: The pigments found in beetroot are known as betalain pigments. Some areas of a beetroot may contain more pigment molecules than others. These molecules appear to be polar molecules as they are soluble in water. Molecules which have groups with dipoles are said to be polar. They are usually attached to water molecules. They also have dipoles, and these molecules are hydrophilic, and tend to be soluble in water. The process by which the betalain molecules leave the cell, can be explored by considering the following: * Simple Diffusion *

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