4.1.4

Testing for Biological Molecules

Test yourself

Testing for Food Substances

Reagents can be used to test for the presence of various food substances. The first step is to grind up the food and add distilled water to dissolve some of the food. You can then test for the food substances:

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Starch

  • To test for starch, add iodine solution.
  • It will turn blue-black if starch is present.
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Reducing sugar

  • To test for reducing sugar, add Benedict’s reagent and heat for about two minutes.
  • It will turn any of green, yellow, orange or red depending on the concentration of reducing sugar present.
  • The colour depends on the concentration.
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Proteins

  • To test for proteins, add Biuret solution.
  • It will turn mauve or purple if proteins are present.
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Lipids

  • To test for lipids, add ethanol and water and shake.
  • If lipids are present, a white emulsion (cloudy liquid) will form.
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Vitamin C

  • To test for Vitamin C, add DCPIP solution drop-by-drop.
  • If vitamin C is present, the solution will turn from blue to clear.

Jump to other topics

1Classification of Living Organisms

2Organisation of the Organism

3Movement Into & Out of Cells

4Biological Molecules

5Enzymes

6Plant Nutrition

7Human Nutrition

8Transport in Plants

9Transport in Animals

10Diseases & Immunity

11Gas Exchange in Humans

12Respiration

13Excretion in Humans

14Coordination & Response

15Drugs

16Reproduction

17Inheritance

18Variation & Selection

19Organisms & Their Environment

20Human Influence on Ecosystems

21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification

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