Name:_______________________________________ Course:____________________ Score:

Date:________________________________________Group No:__________________

ACTIVITY 3
COLLOIDS

Our cells are made up of 70% - 90% water, specifically in our cytoplasm. Cytoplasm is
the semi-fluid substance of a cell that is present within the cellular membrane and surrounds the
nuclear membrane. Most of the cellular activities occur in the cytoplasm. Metabolic pathways
like glycolysis and cellular processes like cell division take place in the cytoplasm.  

There has long been evidence that the cytoplasm behaves like a sol-gel. It is thought
that the component molecules and structures of the cytoplasm behave at times like a
disordered colloidal solution (sol) and at other times like an integrated network, forming a solid
mass. A colloid is a heterogeneous mixture in which the dispersed particles are intermediate in
size between those of a solution and a suspension. The particles are spread evenly throughout
the dispersion medium, which can be a solid, liquid, or gas. Because the dispersed particles of a
colloid are not as large as those of a suspension, they do not settle out upon standing. 

Objectives:

1. To prepare an emulsoid and suspensoid.

2. To differentiate their different properties.
3. To discuss the biological importance of colloidal system.

Materials/ Reagents:
Bunsen Burner 5g gelatin bar
Wire gauze 300mL distilled water
Iron ring 1mL saturated FeCl3
Stirring Rod 10mL saturated Ammonium sulfate
Test tubes 2mL 10% MgSO4
Beaker (250mL) 5g solid magnesium sulfate

Procedure:
A. Preparation of an Emulsoid
1. Heat a mixture of 5 grams gelatin in a beaker with 100mL of distilled water.
2. Stir the mixture continuously at low heat until all gelatin dissolve.
3. Cool under tap water and note what is produced.
4. Heat again and observed the reaction.
5. Record your observation in table 3.1
6. Keep the Emulsoid warm for procedure C.

B. Preparation of a suspensoid
1. Boil 100mL of distilled water in a beaker.
2. Add 0.5 ml of saturated ferric chloride to create Ferric Hydroxide suspension.
3. Note the color and appearance of the product (suspensoid). Record observation in
table 3.1

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Name:_______________________________________ Course:____________________ Score:
Date:________________________________________Group No:__________________

4. Keep the substance and used it for Procedure C.

C. Properties of Emulsoids and Suspensoids

Using the substance form from Procedure A & B perform the following:
C.1 Precipitation with Electrolytes
a. Prepare 2 test tubes and label test tube 1 as “C.1 Emulsoid” and test tube 2
as “C.1 Suspensoid”
b. Place a 5mL of gelatin solution (from procedure A) to test tube 1 labeled as
“C.1 Emulsoid”. And place a 5mL of Ferric Hydroxide (from procedure B) to
test tube 2 labeled as “C.1 Suspensoid”
c. Add saturated ammonium sulfate drop by drop counting the number of drops
until a permanent precipitate is formed to both test tubes.
d. Record your observation in Table 3.2
C.2 Foam Formation
a. Prepare 2 test tubes and label test tube 1 as “C.2 Emulsoid” and test tube 2
as “C.2 Suspensoid”
b. Place a 10 mL of gelatin solution (from procedure A) to test tube 1 labeled as
“C.2 Emulsoid”. And place a 10mL of Ferric Hydroxide (from procedure B) to
test tube 2 labeled as “C.2 Suspensoid”
c. Cover the mouth of both test tube and shake vigorously.
d. Allow to stand and note the result after 15 minutes.
e. Record your observation in Table 3.2
C.3 Reversibility
a. Prepare 2 test tubes and label test tube 1 as “C.3 Emulsoid” and test tube 2
as “C.3 Suspensoid”
b. Place a 5mL of gelatin solution (from procedure A) to test tube 1 labeled as
“C.3 Emulsoid”. And place a 5mL of Ferric Hydroxide (from procedure B) to
test tube 2 labeled as “C.3 Suspensoid”
c. Add 1mL of 10% Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO4) to both test tubes.
d. Allow both test tubes to stand for 30 minutes.
e. If no precipitate forms in the gelatin solution, add solid Magnesium Sulfate
(MgSO4).
f. Decant the supernatant fluid from of the both test tubes.
g. Add excess water to the residue of both test tubes and note whether the
colloids are reversible.
h. Record your observation in Table 3.2

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Name:_______________________________________ Course:____________________ Score:
Date:________________________________________Group No:__________________

ACTIVITY 3 PRE LAB OUTPUT:

Reminders: Answer & submit this on the day that is given by the instructor.

Create a Schematic Diagram from the Procedure Above:

Guide Questions:
1. Discuss the Colloidal System or Colloidal Dispersion.
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2. Give the characteristics of emulsoids and suspensoids.

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3. What is the importance of Colloidal system in our body?

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4. Discuss the nature of the cytoplasm.

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5. Why protoplasm is made 70-85% H2O?

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REFERENCES:
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Name:_______________________________________ Course:____________________ Score:
Date:________________________________________Group No:__________________

ACTIVITY 3 POST LAB OUTPUT

Reminders: Answer & submit this activity after actual experiment.

(Must be printed and answer in handwritten)

Results: (Note: The answer should be based on the actual experiment)

Table 3.1 Preparation of Emulsoid and Suspensoid
Colloids Observation
Emulsoid A.

Suspensoid B.

Table 3.2 Properties of Emulsoids and Suspensoids

Properties Observation
Emulsoid Suspensoid
1. Precipitation with C.1 C.1
Electrolytes

2. Foam Formation C.2 C.2

3. Reversibility C.3 C.3

Conclusion: (Must be answer after the actual experiment)

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-------------Nothing follows-------------------

Biochemistry Laboratory| ACT 3 | 4