11/7/11-11/8/11: "When the Stomach Churns" (Lab)

DAY 1

  Today was part one of the "When the Stomach Churns" lab. The purpose of the lab was to see how hydrochloric acid and enzymes react to the protein we consume. The first part of the experiment involved filling each test tube with three pieces of egg white (protein) and the correct chemical for each test tube. We checked to see if there were any immediate reactions and tested each tube with litmus paper. In test tube A the egg turned slightly yellow but had no reaction on the litmus paper. B had no results. With C we had no reaction but the litmus paper reacted and turned reddish-orange. In test tube D, the hydrochloric acid bubbled slightly when it came in contact with the egg whites and also turned the litmus paper a reddish color. We recorded the information then put the test tubes to the side to continue the experiment tomorrow.
Day 2
  Today we completed the lab. We retrieved our test tubes and and noticed a change in every test tube except C. In test tube A, the egg whites had broken into slightly smaller pieces. In B, the egg whites seemed to have shrunk a little bit and had turned yellow. D they had also turned yellow, they had broken into smaller pieces, and the acid was still bubbling. The results with the litmus paper were the same.
  As a result of the lab, the conclusion can be made that it requires both the hydrochloric acid and the enzymes to break down food properly, and that it takes a long time to digest food.