Practical

=PRACTICALS =

Tests to Determine The Presence of Fats, Proteins, Starch and Reducing Sugar 25th March 2010 Today's activity was a series of experiments that were specific to a certain group - fats, proteins, starch or reducing sugar. As exciting as it is to use a indicator to test for the presence of a certain component, there were certain things that we had to bear in mind. Not every experiment is perfect and neither is a person. Thus, being able to trust my lab partner and encourage her is a way in which I hope I can do to make up for the things that I cannot do in the lab such as dealing with precise techniques as well as the use of instruments such as the forceps, dropper etc.

Today's experiment was demanding not only in terms of the time but also the efficiency and accuracy of the tasks that were at hand. We did experience a few blunders that held us back. Mysteriously today, the Bunsen burner kept turning off on its own thereby, allowing the gas to leak out. We were taken aback when the water in the beaker, meant for the Benedict's test did not boil. In the end, when we didn't quite manage to complete the experiment, we were slightly disappointed as we had tried to complete everything on time, yet hadn't quite managed to. Despite that, I guess we fared rather well and I have to give mention to Aliza for handling the tasks really well. I feel quite bad when she has to help me to such a great extent though, I hope I will be able to make it up to her in the course of this year.

Finally, as I head back towards the main topic of the experiment, I guess, the colour changes were really interesting. When we poured sodium hydroxide into the sausage solution, the bottom edges of the test tube turned a brick-red colour and this colour was quite prominent until the violet shade became progressively darker. I would attribute it to the pigment from the sausage though, I wonder why the red colour became more prominent after sodium hydroxide was added.

All in all, the experiment was quite colourful and interesting. I love to observe colours, especially when there are unique or rather uncommon colours. There were some problems faced and we missed the highly colourful Benedict;s test. Despite that, this practical was a challenge for time but for the first time, we did manage to quite complete it and I shall end of by saying this once again - I think we managed to complete it mainly because of Aliza's efficiency and quickness.