Hannah Joyce Limbaro

Biochemistry Laboratory
Monday 1:30-6:30

1. Explain why casein precipitates when acetic acid is added to it.

Casein is a mixture of three proteins, two of which dissolve poorly in water. Like the fat
globules, these proteins are stabilized by a third water-soluble protein with negatively
charged phosphate groups attached to some of its amino acids. When added with
acetic acid the pH of the milk drops below 4.6, it becomes insoluble and the phosphate
groups will pick up hydrogen ions and lose their negative charge and the casein will
precipitate or fall out of solution.

2. When a part of your finger accidentally touches nitric acid and you observe a yellow
color, what functional group(s) in your skin is (are) responsible for this reaction?
The yellow stains on the skin are caused due to the reaction of nitric acid with protein
keratin present in the skin and the formation of nitro derivatives of benzene ring system
containing amino acid which are aromatic amino acid tyrosine and tryptophan. This
reaction is called Xanthoproteic reaction

3. Why is milk or raw egg used as an antidote in cases of heavy metal ion poisoning?
The egg and milk proteins are denatured by the metal ions, forming insoluble
precipitates in the stomach. These must be pumped out or removed by inducing
vomiting, in this way the poisonous metal ions are removed from the body.