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Science project idea on how we can prove that nutrients are digested.
Nutrients and Their Digestion- Science Project Idea
How can we prove that nutrients are digested?We have already seen that starch cannot pass through a membrane and that it must be changed into some- thing that will.Since sugar is very similar to starch in its chemical composition, we may suspect that starch may be changed into sugar during digestion.But is sugar able to pass through a membrane?
Science Experiment- Breakdown of Food This may be determined by trying the same experiment as before, except that a solution of grape sugar should be substituted for the mixture of starch and water.The water passing through the membrane may be tested for grape sugar by heating some of it to which has been added a few drops of Fehling's solution.The presence of grape sugar is indicated by a reddish orange or brick red color.What is the result in this case?What is your conclusion? Grind up an unsprouted corn grain, mix it with a little water, and test for grape sugar.Result?Do the same with sprouting corn grain.Result?Conclusion? Chew up a piece of cracker which has been shown by a test to contain no grape sugar.After it has been thoroughly chewed and mixed with saliva, test again for grape sugar.Result?Conclusion? There is evidently something in the sprouting corn grain and in the saliva which has the power to change starch into sugar.A substance of this kind, which by its presence is able to cause other substances to change chemically, remaining unchanged itself, is called an enzyme.In the corn grain the enzyme becomes active only when the proper conditions of temperature and moisture are present.There are also enzymes that act upon proteins, and others that act upon fats.
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