Actions of Enzymes: Enzyme Labs Using Gelatin

Name: ______________________________
Date: _______________________________

Name: ______________________________

 

Date: _______________________________

BIOL 1014 Lab 5 Enzymes & Actions          

Skills: Actions of enzymes Enzyme Labs Using Gelatin OBJECTIVE: To test for the presence of enzymes in fruit and show the susceptibility of enzymes to certain environmental factors (temperature and pH) originating in the enzyme's environment. What Fruits Contain Enzymes that Digest Protein? MATERIALS:

• 1 small package Knox®, Jello® or other flavored gelatin
• 1 measuring cup
• 6 Small plastic or paper cups
• measuring spoons

• boiling water
• cold water
• meat tenderizer solution*
• chopped FRESH fruit with juice **(or frozen juice concentrate, thawed):
  • pineapple
  • apple
• You will need access to a refrigerator

You may try any other variety of fruit as well, just add additional paper cups for any additional varieties you have on hand and would like to try.  Examples might include:  Kiwi, papaya, orange, lemon, fig, etc. * Mix 1 heaping tablespoon of meat tenderizer into 1 cup of warm water and stir well. Make sure that the meat tenderizer is mixed completely.

** Note: If you use frozen juice concentrate, make sure it is not pasteurized if possible.  If it has been pasteurized, it may not work predictably. If you use canned fruit, it will not work properly because it has been heated in the canning process and that denatures the enzymes in question. PROCEDURE:

1. You will number the cups 1 through 6 as the lab requires six cups to complete the experiment. However, if you decide to use additional examples of fruit then you will need one cup for each additional fruit variety that you decide to use.
   
   
2. Prepare gelatin in measuring cup using only half of the recommended boiling and cold water amounts given in the package directions. Be sure to stir well with spoon until all gelatin is dissolved in the hot water before adding the cold water.


3. Place 1 teaspoon of the designated solution (water only for cup 1) fruit/juice into each cup. ***Use a separate teaspoon for each fruit or wash the teaspoon between fruits. Failure to do so may result in mixing of juices and inaccurate results! Must complete six cups, the last two cups are where you get to decide what fruits are used. Solutions and cup numbers are listed below.
   
   
   • Cup 1 - water only
   • Cup 2 - pineapple
   • Cup 3 - apple
   • Cup 4 – meat tenderizer solution
   • Cup 5 – Your Choice
   • Cup 6 – Your Choice (Use as many different fruits as you would like.)