Name________________________________

The Action of Enzymes in a Chemical Change

Purpose:
Enzymes are critical in the body to synthesize and process food and
other substances in the body. Without enzymes, digestion would not
occur and cause great problems in the body. Enzymes are specific to
one type of chemical reaction and change, thus the body has many
different types of enzymes that perform similar, but also have very
different purposes in the body. In this lab, you will find a way the body
digests milk sugar(lactose) and causes chemical changes for its
metabolism in the body. You will also find applications for individuals
who may lack enzymes necessary for digestion.

Materials:
• 3 petri dishes
• Glucose Solution
• Milk
• Lactaid Tablet
• 3 Diastix test strips

Experiment:
1. Label each of three petri dishes; 1. Glucose 2. Milk 3. Milk + Lactaid
2. Place a small amount of glucose solution (orange) in the petri dish
labeled glucose and place the reactant side of the Diastix test strip in
the solution.
3. Place a small amount of milk in petri dishes 2 & 3
4. Crush a lactaid tablet and dissolve it in petri dish 3
5. Place the reactant side of the Diastix test strip into each of the two
solutions in petri dish 2 & 3.
6. Swirl the test strip in the solutions for about 1 minute, then let it sit for
2 more minutes.
7. Compare the coloration of the test strips with the key on the Diastix
bottle.

Results:

Petri Dish Glucose Present Amount Present

(y/n)
Glucose
Milk
Milk + Lactaid

Analysis:
1. What chemical change occurred in the lab. What was your evidence?
 2. Why did we test the Glucose solution for the presence of Glucose?

3. What was the result of the milk solution? Why was no glucose
present?

4. If a person were lactose intolerant, what is it that their body is missing?

5. If you were lactose intolerant, what application can be applied from

this lab?

6. If your body could not digest sucrose (table sugar) could you take
lactaid in order to help you digest sucrose? Explain your answer.

Research and Application:

• Find at least two more enzymes in the human body and describe their
individual function.