Experiment No.

Processes in Biochemical Systems

I. OSMOSIS
 How do the shape and overall picture of the cells from the three test tubes compare with that of
the control?

Answer by drawing the appearances of the red blood cells as seen under the microscope showing
the differences in their size and shape. Describe them accordingly. Use the following table.

HOW THE RBC’S COMPARE IN SIZE AND SHAPE

DRAWINGS:

DESCRIPTION:
 Very red in color  Light colored  Lighter than the  Has the lightest
 Contains white (fleshy orange) previous red blood color of all the
substances which  Spherical particles cells samples previous blood
are the white blood or bubble-like  The bubble-like samples
cells but mostly it is particles were substances  The bubble-like
surrounded by red seen; they’re small increased in number particles seen on
colored substances in size and cannot but became smaller this sample was
 It looks rough and it be seen in size than the the smallest among
also looks like a raw thoroughly. previous one the rest. It has also
meat  These bubble-like the largest number
particles are called of bubble-like
hemoglobin which substances inside.
is located inside  The red blood cell
the red blood cell. was filled with
 This hemoglobin in these bubbles and
this blood sample it looks like a vast
is not very universe filled with
noticeable enough small stars.
so keen
observation was
done.
TEST TUBE 1 TEST TUBE 2 TEST TUBE 3 TEST TUBE 4
(CONTROL) (in 0.1 % NaCl) ( in 0.9% NaCl) ( in 2.0 % NaCl)
II. DIALYSIS

a. Test for the Chloride ion.

To 1.0 mL of the dialysate, add 1.0 mL of AgN03 solution. Observation:

A white precipitate was formed; the solution turns to white; something cloudy was formed
after dropping the
reagent into the dialysate.

b. Test for peptide bond.

To 1.0 mL of the dialysate, add 2.0mL of 10% NaOH and 5 drops of 0.5 % copper sulfate. Stir the
solution. Account for your observation.

1.0 ml dialysate + 2.0 ml 10% NaOH didn’t produce any change in color but when 0.5% of
copper sulfate was added it produced blue precipitate.

c. Test for amino acid

To 3.0 ml of the dialysate, add 1 mL 0.2% ninhydrin. Heat in a water bath until a blue violet color
appears which indicates the presence of amino acid. Observation:

After heating the solution in water we have observed a light bluish color which indicates the
presence of amino acid.

DRAWING OF THE SET-UP FOR DIALYSIS:

III. LOWERING OF SURFACE TENSION
Margarine + bile solution

Thin margarine was left after washing it with tap water by a wash bottle. The water just passed
through the slide containing margarine + bile allowing it to resist from the flowing water. It looks like
the water molecules are not compatible with the margarine with bile solution. It similarly looks like
water and oil when mixed; they never combined together.

Margarine + Na2CO2

Thinner margarine was left than the previous one, while washing it with tap water the margarine was
slightly washed away by the water compared to the first.

Margarine+ soap solution

This is the thinnest among the others. Almost all the margarine poured into the slide was removed or
washed out after washing it with tap water.

IV. HYDROLYSIS
SAMPLE MACARONI TEXTURE AFTER 15 MINUTES COLOR WITH IODINE SOLUTION
HEATING
#1 Pancreatin Hardest/toughest texture Darker (grayish black)

#2 Saliva Harder/tougher texture Dark (purple)

#3 Na2CO3 Hard/tough texture Light (milky white)

V. DIFFUSION
What is the effect of increasing the temperature on the rate of migration of the solid substance in a
liquid medium?

Diffusion rate is directly proportional to temperature. That is, the higher the temperature, the faster
the diffusion.

Draw the set-up of apparatus and describe the directional movement of the colored particles.
Compare the rate of diffusion at different temperatures.

Low temperature Increasing temperature

1 cm 1 sec 1 cm 1 sec
2 cm 5 sec 2 cm 2 sec
3 cm 22 sec 3 cm 3 sec
4 cm 56 sec 4 cm 10 sec
5 cm 96 sec 5 cm 30 sec

Faster diffusion will take place if the surroundings are warmer. Increase in temperature means an
increase in molecules' speed (kinetic energy). So the molecules move faster and there will be more
spontaneous spreading of the material which means that diffusion occurs quicker.

Supplementary Questions:

1. Differentiate passive transport to active transport system. Give examples.

Passive transport is diffusion across a membrane requiring only a random motion of molecules
with no energy expanded by the cell while Active transport is the movement of molecules
across a membrane requiring energy to be expanded by the cell. An example of passive
transport is osmosis while an example of active transport is dialysis (from the movement of
various amino acids from the small intestine into the blood)

2. Is energy always associated with biochemical processes? Justify your answer.

Yes. From the definition itself “energy is the capacity to do work”; it makes the biochemical
process more effective and necessary. Without energy how can our cells function well? Energy
is crucial because it almost makes all life on earth possible. For instance, in the process of
photosynthesis, plants capture the energy in sunlight and convert it into chemical bonds in
glucose. The plants and the organisms that eat plants use the energy from glucose to form
ATP. The energy from the breakdown of ATP fuels is the chemical reaction of life.

3. Discuss the movement of Na+ and K+ ions in the cell.

Sodium-potassium pump moves Na+ out of cells and K+ into cells. The result is a higher
concentration of K+ inside the cell. The concentration gradients for Na+ and K+, established by
the sodium-pump, are essential in maintaining the resting membrane potential.

References:

Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology McGraw and Hill International edition (book)
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www.en.wikipedia.com
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 Bicol University
College of Nursing
Legazpi City

Experiment No. 2

Processes in
Biochemical
Systems
( LAB 2 GROUP 1 )

Submitted by:

Carmella Rodolfo
Bernaflor Pielago
Zhaira Mae Oribiada
Mikaella Cadiz
BSN 1-C

Submitted to:
Prof. Noemi R. Madrid