Natural Indicators

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OREGON MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY

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Learners combine different plant solutions -- made from fruits, vegetables, and flowers -- with equal
amounts of vinegar (acid), water (neutral), and ammonia (base). They compare the color changes of
each plant solution in each of the three solutions. Learners learn that plant color often depends on
acid/base balances. This can be related to the idea that living systems must maintain a constant pH
to survive, and that many plants require a specific pH in the environment to grow. This activity is
currently used in the Biochemistry and Envrionmental Chemistry Units in OMSI's Chemistry Lab. Cost
estimates are per 100 learners.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:

30 to 45 minutes

Learning Time:

Under 5 minutes

Estimated Materials Cost:

1 cent - $1 per group of students

Age Range:

Ages 11 - adult

Resource Types:

Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity

Language:

English

Materials List (per group of students)

Household-grade NH3 (ammonia) (keep one quart on hand)C2H4O2 (vinegar) (keep one gallon on
hand)H2O (water)24-well microwell plateThree 125-ml or 250-ml dropper bottlesSix to ten 60-ml
dropper bottles70% C3H7OH (isopropyl alcohol, 2-propanol) (keep one gallon on hand)Table saltAn
assortment of fruits and vegetables examples: red cabbage, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry,
cherry, radish skin, , turnip skin, concentrated grape juice, beet, red onion, red apple skin, plum skin,
turmeric powderAn assortment of flowers examples: red rose, purple pansy, purple orchid, purple
iris, red valerianSix to ten large beakers (500-ml or larger)Three to five petri dishes with lidsAn
assortment of 500- to 1000-ml plastic storage bottles (enough for each fruit/vegetable sample being
used)StrainerA blender (optional) (from general storage)Coffee filters (optional)Cheesecloth or other
coarse fabric (optional)

Keywords

biochemistrychemistryindicatorsacidsbases

Subjects

Life Sciences

Cells

Chemistry of Life

Diversity of Life

Plants

Physical Sciences

Chemistry

Acids and Bases

Chemistry of Life

Solutions

Informal Categories

Food and Cooking

Nature and Environment

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

see

see color

touch

Learning styles supported:

Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Components that are part of this resource:

Natural Indicators Operating Guide

This resource is part of:

Experiencing Chemistry

Biochemistry
Access Rights:

Free access

By:

Chemistry Lab, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

Rights:

All Rights Reserved, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, 1997

Funding Source:

National Science Foundation