Detection of Carbohydrates (activity)

Materials

  • potato juice

  • apple juice

  • urine sample 1

  • urine sample 2

  • reducing sugar solution

  • starch solution

  • Benedict’s Reagent

  • Sucrose solution

  • glucose solutions

  • distilled water

  • hot plates

  • beakers of water

  • test tubes

  • test tube rack

Stop and Think:

  • Use your senses and previous observations/experiences about the qualities of the experimentals.

  • Formulate some hypotheses about the carbohydrate content of the experimentals or unknowns.

    • Identify if the sample is experimental or control before making hypothesis

QUESTION: Are there simple reducing sugars in my juice? Are there simple reducing sugars in my urine?

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that refers to the inability of the cells to take in glucose. The word diabetes refers to urination and mellitus refers to sweetness. Since the cells of diabetics cannot remove glucose from the blood, there is an excess of glucose circulating that is eliminated in the urine. The traditional method of diagnosing someone with diabetes mellitus was to taste the sweetness of the patient’s urine. Let’s use Benedict’s test for the detection process instead of the unhygienic alternative. 

Make a hypothesis and ask what we would predict from a Benedict’s test if testing a urine sample of someone with diabetes mellitus.

Activity: Benedict’s Test For Reducing Sugars

  1. Obtain 9 test-tubes and number them 1-9.

  2. Add to each tube the materials to be tested. Your instructor may ask you to test some additional materials. If so, include additional numbered test tubes. 

  3. Indicate in the table whether the the sample you are testing is positive control, a negative control or an experimental.

  4. Before you begin the heating of the samples, use predict the color change (if any) for each sample. (use the sample type to aid in your prediction)

  5. Add 2 ml Benedict’s solution to each tube.

  6. Place all of the tubes in a boiling water bath for 3 min or until a noticeable color change and observe colors during this time.

  7. After 3 min, remove the tubes from the water bath and let them cool to room temperature. Record the color of their contents in the Table.

boil

Table:Solution And Color Reactions For Benedict’s Test For Reducing Sugars

TUBE

SOLUTION

TYPE
OF SAMPLE

(experimental,
+ control, – control)

HYPOTHESIZED COLOR

ACTUAL COLOR

1

10 drops apple juice

2

10 drops potato juice

3

10 drops sucrose solution

4

10 drops glucose solution

5

10 drops distilled water

6

10 drops reducing-sugar solution

7

10 drops starch solution

8

10 drops Urine sample 1

9

10 drops Urine sample 2
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