Saliva contains more than just amylase. Fun chemistry experience at home

ENTERTAINING EXPERIENCES AT HOME
Directory / Entertaining experiences / Experiments in chemistry

Saliva contains more than just amylase. Chemical experiments

Entertaining experiments in chemistry

Entertaining experiences at home / Chemistry experiments for children

You already made sure in that saliva is an excellent object for biochemical research, and, moreover, unlike most other objects of animal origin, is constantly available.

In addition to amylase, there are other enzymes in saliva that help digest food, breaking down complex natural substances into simpler ones. But isolating and studying them is much more difficult than amylase. Therefore, we will carry out our last biochemical experiments with substances of a different nature.

After rinsing your mouth with water, collect about 1 ml of saliva in a test tube or vial and dilute with a triple amount of distilled or boiled water. Pour half of the contents into another tube and add about ten drops of a solution of lapis silver nitrate AgNO₃ (you can dissolve half of a lapis pencil from a pharmacy in 1 ml of water; impurities will not interfere with the experiment). Add vinegar to the white precipitate in the test tube, and the precipitate will partially dissolve. So, when interacting with silver nitrate, salts of hydrochloric (hydrochloric) and phosphoric acids behave - chlorides and phosphates.

Slightly acidify the second part of the saliva solution with a weak solution of hydrochloric acid and add a few drops of a 3% solution of ferric chloride FeCl₃. Red-brown color indicates that the solution contains thiocyanates - salts of thiocyanic acid. While in the saliva of smokers there is little amylase, thiocyanate, on the contrary, is more than usual. This can be tested experimentally if you have smoking relatives.

The next experiment will require approximately 5 ml of saliva. Place it in a glass and, while stirring with a glass rod, add a few drops of acetic acid (not diluted vinegar, but essence). A white lump will stick to the stick, similar to boiled egg white. This substance is mucin, it increases the viscosity of saliva, thickens it and contributes to the formation of foam.

Let's try to figure out the composition of the mucin on our own. Place part of the resulting substance in a small test tube, drip a little, literally 2-3 drops of nitric acid and wait until the mucin turns yellow. Now drop the same amount of concentrated alkali solution (you can take ammonia solution) - and the color will turn orange. Such a reaction is called xantoprotein, it is characteristic of proteins. Instead, it is possible to carry out the biuret reaction described in the chapter "Experiments with protein" - in both cases, the protein nature of the substance will be confirmed.

But that is not all. The rest of the mucin isolated from saliva, subject the sample to carbohydrates. To do this, use the Molisch color reaction described in the chapter "Experiments with carbohydrates", or, if you have some L-naphthol, then its simplified modification: add three to four drops to a solution of mucin in a weak, approximately 1% hydrochloric acid 0,1% solution of naphthol in alcohol and, after stirring, very carefully drop onto the surface of concentrated sulfuric acid. The purple ring will indicate that you have taken a carbohydrate for analysis.

It turns out that mucin is both a protein and a carbohydrate at the same time? Exactly. It is from the class of glucoproteins, that is, compounds containing both protein and carbohydrate parts. If it is decomposed with strong acids, then amino acids are formed that make up proteins, and at the same time - carbohydrates.

Author: Olgin O.M.

We recommend interesting experiments in physics:

▪ Experiments with dry ice

▪ funny swing

▪ Reactive principle

We recommend interesting experiments in chemistry:

▪ Sulfur in egg white

▪ Starch is stained by iodine

▪ How to mend torn clothes

See other articles Section Entertaining experiences at home.

Read and write useful comments on this article.

<< Back

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

Artificial leather for touch emulation 15.04.2024

In a modern technology world where distance is becoming increasingly commonplace, maintaining connection and a sense of closeness is important. Recent developments in artificial skin by German scientists from Saarland University represent a new era in virtual interactions. German researchers from Saarland University have developed ultra-thin films that can transmit the sensation of touch over a distance. This cutting-edge technology provides new opportunities for virtual communication, especially for those who find themselves far from their loved ones. The ultra-thin films developed by the researchers, just 50 micrometers thick, can be integrated into textiles and worn like a second skin. These films act as sensors that recognize tactile signals from mom or dad, and as actuators that transmit these movements to the baby. Parents' touch to the fabric activates sensors that react to pressure and deform the ultra-thin film. This ... >>

Petgugu Global cat litter 15.04.2024

Taking care of pets can often be a challenge, especially when it comes to keeping your home clean. A new interesting solution from the Petgugu Global startup has been presented, which will make life easier for cat owners and help them keep their home perfectly clean and tidy. Startup Petgugu Global has unveiled a unique cat toilet that can automatically flush feces, keeping your home clean and fresh. This innovative device is equipped with various smart sensors that monitor your pet's toilet activity and activate to automatically clean after use. The device connects to the sewer system and ensures efficient waste removal without the need for intervention from the owner. Additionally, the toilet has a large flushable storage capacity, making it ideal for multi-cat households. The Petgugu cat litter bowl is designed for use with water-soluble litters and offers a range of additional ... >>

The attractiveness of caring men 14.04.2024

The stereotype that women prefer "bad boys" has long been widespread. However, recent research conducted by British scientists from Monash University offers a new perspective on this issue. They looked at how women responded to men's emotional responsibility and willingness to help others. The study's findings could change our understanding of what makes men attractive to women. A study conducted by scientists from Monash University leads to new findings about men's attractiveness to women. In the experiment, women were shown photographs of men with brief stories about their behavior in various situations, including their reaction to an encounter with a homeless person. Some of the men ignored the homeless man, while others helped him, such as buying him food. A study found that men who showed empathy and kindness were more attractive to women compared to men who showed empathy and kindness. ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Down's syndrome cured in mice 05.10.2007

Children with Down syndrome have an extra 21st chromosome (instead of two - three), which affects their appearance, and also reduces memory, learning ability, rational activity to varying degrees, and makes it difficult to master the language. A few years ago it became clear that these neurological disorders are associated with excessive synthesis in the brain of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which inhibits the activity of neurons.

An employee of Stanford University (USA) Craig Garner and his colleagues, using genetic engineering, brought out a line of mice with an extra 21st chromosome. They also had impaired memory and learning ability. Various GABA antagonists have been tested in these mice, with pentylenetetrazole being the most effective. This medication was used in the United States in the 50s against depression and psychosis, but it soon became clear that it causes epileptic seizures.

Experiments have shown that mice with Down's syndrome, given a small dose of pentylenetetrazole, become smarter and quickly learn to find their way through a maze. Moreover, the effect persisted for three months after treatment (on the scale of human life, this is about nine years).

The authors of the study believe that it will be several more years before the start of treatment for people with Down syndrome.

Other interesting news:

▪ NVIDIA Tesla GPUs

▪ Google patents augmented reality watch

▪ Fundamentally new computer architecture

▪ ASUS PCE-AX3000 Expansion Card

▪ Window panes generate electricity

News feed of science and technology, new electronics

Interesting materials of the Free Technical Library:

▪ section of the site The most important scientific discoveries. Article selection

▪ article Corrugated cardboard with a motor. Tips for a modeller

▪ article Who and how taught dogs to drive a car? Detailed answer

▪ the article by Voandzey is underground. Legends, cultivation, methods of application

▪ article Battery charge regulator for solar cells. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

▪ article Magic coin. Focus Secret

Leave your comment on this article:

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews