Biology

Project
Study of Lacrimal Glands and
Analysis of tears

Acknowledgements
I would firstly like to thank my Biology teacher Mrs.
Farida Khan for her invaluable support and guidance in
completing this project satisfactorily.
I would also like to thank our school Principal Mr.
Cherian C. George for providing me with this
oppurtunity.

Certificate
This is to certify that the project
Study of Lacrimal Glands and Analysis of tears
has been satisfactorily performed by the student
Sharanya Chandran

Teacher's signature

Examiner's Signature

Index
Aim

Introduction

Materials required

Procedure

Observation

Result

Conclusion

Bibliography

Aim of the experiment

To analyze the contents of tears, determine pH, and test
for the presence of certain ions Sodium, Potassium,
Chloride and Bicarbonate.

Introduction
For normal functioning of the eye, an adequate supply
of fluid is required on its surface. This fluid performs
the following functions:
1)
Maintains an optically uniform corneal surface
2)
Prevents foreign bodies
3)
Lubricates the eye
4)
Acts as an antibacterial
This moist layer is composed of various secretions from
glands such as the lacrimal glands and accessory
lacrimal gland tissues, sebaceous glands of eye lids,
goblet cells, etc. The drainage system consists of
lacrimal puncta, canalculi sac and naso-lacrimal duct.

Materials required
Tears sample (small amount)
Potassium Pyroantimonate solution
Conc. Sulphuric acid
Ammonium hydroxide
Dil. Nitric acid
Silver nitrate solution
Manganese dioxide
Sodium hydroxide
Sodium cobalt nitrate solution
Picric acid
Dil. Sulphuric acid
Lime water
Universal pH indicator paper
Test tubes
Droppers
Bunsen burner

Procedure
Initial preparation:
Strain the eye by constantly staring at an object for 30 sec or more, then place a small test tube beneath
the eyes. Repeat after relaxing the eyes for a few minutes. If a sufficient amount of tears are still not
collected, take a piece of freshly cut onion and hold at a small distance from the eyes. Maintain a
distance of at least 4 -5 inches from the eye.

1.Test for sodium ion:

EXPT. To a part of the o.s add potassium pyroantimonate solution and rub the sides of the test tube
with a glass rod.
OBNS. A white milky ppt is observed.
INFERENCE
Sodium ion is present.
EXPT. Introduce the white ppt. Into the blue flame of the bunsen burner.
OBNS. A persistent golden yellow flame is observed.
INFERENCE
Presence of Sodium ion confirmed.

2.Test for potassium ion:

EXPT. To a part O.S add NaOH to make it alkaline and then add freshly prepared sodium cobalt nitrate
solution.
OBNS. A yellow ppt is observed.
INFERENCE
Potassium ion is present.
EXPT. To a part of ppt, add picric acid solution
OBNS. Yellow shining crystalline ppt. Is observed.
INFERENCE
Presence of Potassium ion confirmed.

3.Test for Chloride ion:

EXPT. To a small quantity of the W.E add a few ml of conc. Sulphuric acid
OBNS. A colourless pungent gas is evolved.
INFERENCE
Chloride ion is present.

EXPT. Bring a glass rod dipped in NH4OH solution near the mosuth of the test tube.
OBNS. Dense white fumes of NH4Cl are observed.
INFERENCE
Presence of Chloride ion confirmed.
EXPT. Add a small amount of MnO2 to the reaction mixture and heat.
OBNS. Greenish yellow pungent smelling gas is evolved.
INFERENCE
Presence of Chloride ion confirmed.
EXPT. Acidify 1ml of W.E. with dil.HNO3 and add AgNO3 solution
OBNS. Dirty white ppt appears which turns grey on exposure to sunlight. Ppt readily disolves in
NH4OH
INFERENCE
Presence of Chloride ion confirmed.

4.Test for bicarbonate ion

EXPT: TO W.E add dil. H2SO4
OBNS. Slow effervescence is observed
EXPT: Pass the gas evolved through lime water.
OBNS. There is no reaction.
Inference bicarb = Bicarbonate ion may be present for both expt.

5.Determination of pH
1. Take a small strip of pH paper and dip it into an undiluted collection of tears.
2. Observe the change in colour and match it with the indicator given along with it.

Observation
The change in colour of the pH paper:
<SticK paper>
This indicates that the pH of tears is 8 (approx.)

Results
From the experiments performed above, the following
results can be proved:
Sodium ion is present
Potassium ion is present
Chloride ion is present
Bicarbonate ion is present, but in small amounts
The pH of tears is approximately 8.
The composition of tears is as follows 1. Water content: 98.2%
2. Ions:
Sodium 142 million/L
Chlorine 135 million/L
Potassium
Bicarbonate 30 million/L
Calcium 2.6 million/L
3. Proteins:
Total protein 2.29 mg/100ml
Albumin 0.7-0.8 mg/100ml
Globulin 0.395 mg/100ml
4. Others:
Ammonia 5mg/100ml
Urea 0.04mg/100ml
Glucose 2.5-5mg/100ml
5. The pH of tears is 8.

Bibliography
1.The Lacrimal apparatus
2.Biological Science

Benjamin Milder, M.D.

The American Institute
of Biological Sciences

3.Encyclopedia Britannica
4.The Internet

2002 Edition