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CHAPTER INVESTIGATION

Manipulating Independent Variables

Teacher Notes
TIME 45 minutes

TEACHER PREPARATION  

STUDENT DIFFICULTY  
Purpose Investigate how pH or enzyme detergent concentration affects the
breakdown of protein
Overview Students will assess the breakdown of protein by measuring the distance
a marble sinks into gelatin exposed to three different solutions of detergent. They
will test either pH or concentration of the solutions.

LAB PREPARATION
 Use liquid laundry detergent instead of powdered for ease in mixing the
solutions.
 Prepare 10 percent, 30 percent, and 50 percent detergent solutions before class.
 Prepare graduated cylinders with gelatin the day before and refrigerate until use.

LAB MANAGEMENT
 Have students place marbles on top of the gelatin before adding a detergent
solution.
 Be sure students have graph paper.
Safety Require students to wear goggles.
 Remind students to never taste materials used in lab.
 Remind students to wash their hands before leaving the lab.
Teacher Note "I review enzymes in depth beforehand."
"It was nice to utilize the detergents, which made it relevant and authentic."

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Manipulating Independent Variables continued

POST-LAB DISCUSSION
Have students discuss their data and conclusions. Ask, What were the
independent and dependent variables? How do you know? Independent:
detergent concentration or pH because it was changed or manipulated;
dependent: distance the marble sank because it was the measured
variable. Ask, Can you conclude from this experiment why the marble sank?
Explain. No. This is an inference. The data only show gelatin breaks down,
not why.
For further information on detergent labs, see the Science Teacher, Summer 2006,
Vol. 73, No. 5, pp. 30-33.

ANSWERS
Expected Results
Students in the test group used concentration and reported that the distance the
marble sank increased with increasing concentration. Results with different
detergents will vary. Higher pH typically denatures enzymes, however detergents
with protease have an optimal pH between 7.5 and 10.5.

SAMPLE DATA

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Manipulating Independent Variables continued

ANALYZE AND CONCLUDE

1. Analyze Student answers will vary but bar graphs should show independent
variable vs. distance (in cm). Whether the results supported the initial
hypothesis will depend on students' measurements.
2. Communicate Answers will vary but may include the idea that slightly
different procedures and random error produced different results.

EXTEND YOUR INVESTIGATION

Answers will vary but may include: Make solutions of detergent from water
samples of various mineral concentrations. Mineral concentration is the
independent variable and detergent concentration is a constant. Place a marble on
top of solidified gelatin. Pour solutions into graduated cylinders with gelatin.
Measure how far the marble sinks.

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CHAPTER INVESTIGATION

Manipulating Independent Variables

Some chemicals, called enzymes, help break down substances into smaller
molecules. Some laundry detergents contain enzymes that help break down
protein stains in clothing. In this investigation, you will test how different
conditions affect the activity of enzymes in laundry detergent.

PROBLEM
How is enzyme activity affected by changes in conditions?

  

MATERIALS
 4 graduated cylinders with gelatin
 4 marbles
 metric ruler
 10 mL water
 2 10-mL graduated cylinders
 10 mL detergent (10%)
 10 mL detergent (30%)
 10 mL detergent (50%)
OR
 10 mL detergent (pH 4)
 10 mL detergent (pH 7)
 10 mL detergent (pH 10)

PROCESS SKILLS
 Measuring
 Modeling

PROCEDURE
1. Obtain four graduated cylinders filled with gelatin. One of the cylinders is for
the control condition. The other three are for the experimental conditions.
2. Decide which variable you would like to test.
 detergent pH (pH is a measurement of acidity, and a lower pH means that a
substance is more acidic)
 detergent concentration
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Manipulating Independent Variables continued

3. The dependent variable is the amount of gelatin broken down by the enzyme
in the detergent. You will measure the dependent variable by placing a marble
on top of the gelatin and measuring how far the marble sinks into the gelatin.
4. Identify the independent variable in your experiment. Form a hypothesis that
explains the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable.

5. Pour 10 mL of water onto the gelatin in one graduated cylinder. This

graduated cylinder represents the control condition. Pour 10 mL of each
different detergent solution into each of the other graduated cylinders. These
graduated cylinders represent the experimental conditions.

6. Place a marble on the top of the gelatin in each graduated cylinder. Wait five
minutes, then use a ruler to measure the distance (in cm) that the marble has
sunk into the gelatin in each cylinder.

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Manipulating Independent Variables continued

7. Record your data in the table below.

TABLE 1. EFFECT OF DETERGENT ON GELATIN

Condition Distance (cm)

Water
Detergent 1
Detergent 2
Detergent 3

ANALYZE AND CONCLUDE

1. Analyze Construct a bar graph to plot your data.

What trends exist in your data? Explain whether your results supported your
hypothesis.
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Manipulating Independent Variables continued

2. Communicate Share the results of your experiment with other groups in your
class. Did other groups that manipulated the same independent variable obtain
similar results? Why or why not?
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EXTEND YOUR INVESTIGATION

Some areas have "hard" water or water with a high mineral content. Other areas
have "soft" water, or water with a low mineral content. Design an experiment to
test the effect of the mineral content of water on detergent activity.

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