Experiment to test enzyme action by putting diastase in a starch solution in test tube at 37°C and after fifteen minutes performing iodine test for presence of starch

 Abstract:

This experiment investigates the action of diastase, an enzyme, on starch by incubating a starch solution with diastase at 37°C and performing an iodine test after fifteen minutes to detect the presence of starch.

Introduction:

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in living organisms. Diastase is an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of starch into simpler sugars. The experiment aims to observe the effect of diastase on starch by incubating them together and then testing for the presence of starch using an iodine solution.

Experiment Details:

The experiment will be conducted using a starch solution and diastase enzyme. Starch will act as the substrate, and diastase will catalyze its breakdown. The reaction will be carried out at a temperature of 37°C, which is within the optimal temperature range for diastase activity.

Procedure:

1. Prepare a starch solution by dissolving 1g of starch in 100ml of distilled water. Stir well to ensure the starch is completely dissolved.
2. Label two test tubes as 'Control' and 'Experimental'.
3. Add 5ml of the starch solution to each test tube.
4. In the 'Experimental' test tube, add 1ml of diastase enzyme solution.
5. Place both test tubes in a water bath set to 37°C for 15 minutes to allow the reaction to occur.
6. After 15 minutes, remove the test tubes from the water bath.
7. Add a few drops of iodine solution to each test tube.
8. Observe the color change. The presence of starch is indicated by the formation of a blue-black color.

Observations and Calculations:

The color change observed after adding iodine solution will indicate the presence or absence of starch. If the solution remains blue-black, starch is present; if the color changes to brown or yellow, it indicates the absence of starch.

Conclusion:

The experiment demonstrates the action of diastase enzyme on starch. The disappearance of the blue-black color indicates the breakdown of starch into simpler sugars by the enzyme diastase.

Precautions:

• Ensure all equipment is clean and free from contamination.
• Handle the diastase enzyme with care to prevent denaturation.
• Maintain a constant temperature throughout the experiment.

Enzyme Action Experiment Questions

1. Question: What is the purpose of this experiment?
   Answer: The purpose is to test the action of the enzyme diastase on starch.
2. Question: What is diastase?
   Answer: Diastase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch into sugars.
3. Question: What temperature is the experiment conducted at?
   Answer: The experiment is conducted at 37°C.
4. Question: Why is the experiment conducted at 37°C?
   Answer: 37°C is the approximate temperature of the human body, which is the optimal temperature for many enzymes, including diastase.
5. Question: What is the substrate in this experiment?
   Answer: The substrate is starch.
6. Question: How is the enzyme action tested?
   Answer: The enzyme action is tested by performing the iodine test for the presence of starch.
7. Question: Describe the procedure for the iodine test.
   Answer: Iodine solution is added to the sample. If starch is present, the iodine solution will turn blue-black.
8. Question: What is the expected result of the iodine test before enzyme action?
   Answer: Before enzyme action, the iodine test is expected to turn the solution blue-black, indicating the presence of starch.
9. Question: What is the expected result of the iodine test after enzyme action?
   Answer: After enzyme action, the iodine test is expected to show a lighter color or remain yellowish-brown, indicating the absence or reduction of starch.
10. Question: How long is the incubation period for the experiment?
    Answer: The incubation period is fifteen minutes.
11. Question: Why is an incubation period necessary?
    Answer: An incubation period allows sufficient time for the enzyme to catalyze the reaction between diastase and starch.
12. Question: What is the control setup in this experiment?
    Answer: The control setup consists of a starch solution without diastase, subjected to the same conditions as the experimental setup.
13. Question: Why is a control setup important?
    Answer: A control setup is important for comparison to ensure that any observed changes are due to the presence of diastase and not other factors.
14. Question: How is the enzyme activity measured in this experiment?
    Answer: The enzyme activity is measured indirectly by observing changes in the iodine test results before and after enzyme action.
15. Question: What are the potential sources of error in this experiment?
    Answer: Potential sources of error include variations in temperature, pH, and the concentration of enzyme and substrate.
16. Question: How can the experiment be modified to investigate the effect of temperature on enzyme activity?
    Answer: The experiment can be repeated at different temperatures, such as 25°C, 50°C, and 60°C, to observe how temperature affects enzyme activity.
17. Question: What safety precautions should be taken during the experiment?
    Answer: Safety precautions may include wearing protective eyewear, gloves, and lab coats, as well as handling chemicals with care and following proper disposal procedures.
18. Question: What are the potential applications of this experiment in real-world scenarios?
    Answer: This experiment's findings can be applied in various fields, such as medicine, food industry, and biotechnology, to understand and manipulate enzyme activity for practical purposes.
19. Question: How can the experiment be expanded for further investigation?
    Answer: The experiment can be expanded by testing different enzymes on starch or investigating the effect of inhibitors on enzyme activity.
20. Question: What are the ethical considerations associated with conducting experiments involving enzymes?
    Answer: Ethical considerations may include ensuring the humane treatment of organisms from which enzymes are extracted and obtaining informed consent for any human-related studies.

Enzyme Action Experiment MCQs

1. What is the purpose of adding diastase to the starch solution in the experiment?

   1. To hydrolyze the starch into simpler sugars
   2. To precipitate the starch molecules
   3. To increase the viscosity of the solution
   4. To inhibit enzyme activity

   Answer: a) To hydrolyze the starch into simpler sugars

2. Why is the experiment conducted at 37°C?

   1. To speed up the enzyme-substrate reaction
   2. To slow down the enzyme-substrate reaction
   3. To prevent enzyme denaturation
   4. To provide optimum pH for enzyme activity

   Answer: a) To speed up the enzyme-substrate reaction

3. What is the purpose of performing the iodine test after fifteen minutes?

   1. To determine the concentration of diastase
   2. To confirm the presence of starch
   3. To measure the pH of the solution
   4. To assess enzyme denaturation

   Answer: b) To confirm the presence of starch

4. What would be the expected result of the iodine test if the enzyme activity is successful?

   1. The solution will turn blue
   2. The solution will remain yellow
   3. The solution will turn black
   4. The solution will remain red

   Answer: c) The solution will turn black

5. What would happen to the iodine test result if the experiment is conducted at 10°C?

   1. The solution will turn blue
   2. The solution will remain yellow
   3. The solution will turn black
   4. The solution will remain red

   Answer: b) The solution will remain yellow