A mixture of amino acids is separated using paper chromatography. Which of the following correctly identifies the fundamental principle of this separation technique and the substance acting as the stationary phase?

Step-by-step solution

Paper chromatography is a specific type of partition chromatography. In this technique, a special quality paper known as chromatography paper is used. This paper contains water molecules trapped within its cellulose network. The stationary phase is not the solid cellulose of the paper itself, but rather the water molecules trapped in it. The mobile phase (another solvent) moves up the paper, and separation occurs due to the continuous partitioning of components between the stationary liquid phase (trapped water) an