Aspartic Acid, Serine, Alanine, Leucine, Phenylalanine - Most hydrophobic.
Compare the Rf values of Phe and Ser. Is this consistent with their chemical structures? Explain.
Already know Distance solvent migrated 7.6 cm
Amino Acid | Distance migrated | Rf value
Leucine | 4.4 cm | 0.579
Alanine | 2.5 cm | 0.329
Phenylalanine | 3.8 cm | 0.5
Aspartic Acid | 2.2 cm | 0.289
Serine | 2.1 cm | 0.276
Unknown # | 3.9 cm | 0.513
Assume that the unknown amino acid that you analyzed was not one of the 5 known amino acids on your chromatogram (Leu, Ala, Phe, Asp, Ser), but instead was one of the other 15 amino acids. Based on its Rf, what is the most likely identity of your unknown. Justify your conclusion.
5. If you boil a protein in hydrochloric acid it will break down to its constituent amino acids. Assume that you had done this to a typical protein and then had spotted these amino acids to a spot on the chromatograph. What pattern would you expect to see at the end of the experiment? Explain your prediction.