Friday 28 March 2008

Yesterday's Bio Practical

It was the third bio practical I had. We tested several food substances to find out if it contained starch, reducing sugar, protein and lipids. For the starch, you should know, just add iodine. For the reducing sugar, we added Benedict's solution and for lipids, we had to add 5ml of sodium hydroxide and 5 drops of ClHO4. Warning!!! The 10% sodium hydroxide will dissolve you!!! For proteins, we added distilled water and something else.

I remembered we had to insert the test-tube into a 80 degree celcius water bath. There was once my friend's hand accidentally touched the sodium hydroxide. He said it was scorching hot. That was just 10%, imagine pure 100% sodium hydroxide. We sometimes inadvertently add too much chemicals and cause a huge explosion. Just kidding, nothing actually happened.

Practicals are always fun and enjoyable. I am looking forward to the next practical.

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