Nutrient Lab

Watch this video to see actual test results and procedures. Use the data provided in the video to
complete the lab.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-elxW6bxUU

Purpose: To identify carbohydrates, proteins and fats in various substances

Materials:

4 unknown substances Iodine

16 test tubes Benedict’s solution
Beaker Biuret solution
Hot plate Sudan IV

Safety: Where safety goggles. Be careful with the hot water bath and the test solutions.

Procedure:
1. Fill a large beaker with water and place on hot plate. Turn the heat on and bring water to
a boil.
2. Label 4 test tubes with all 4 unknown substances (you should have 16 in total).
3. Glucose test:
a. Add about 10 drops of unknown substance 1 into beaker labeled U1. Do this for
the other 3 substances.
b. Add about 10 drops of benedicts solution to each of the 4 test tubes.
c. Place all 4 test tubes in the hot water bath for 5 minutes.
d. Look for a colour change. Record information in your chart.
e. Pour waste into waste beaker and rinse your test tubes.
4. Starch test:
a. Add about 10 drops of unknown substance 1 into beaker labeled U1. Do this for
the other 3 substances.
b. Add about 10 drops of iodine to each of the 4 test tubes.
c. Look for a colour change. Record information in your chart.
d. Pour waste into waste beaker and rinse your test tubes.
5. Protein test:
a. Add about 10 drops of unknown substance 1 into beaker labeled U1. Do this for
the other 3 substances.
b. Add about 10 drops of biuret solution to each of the 4 test tubes.
c. Look for a colour change. Record information in your chart.
d. Pour waste into waste beaker and rinse your test tubes.
6. Lipids test:
a. Add about 10 drops of unknown substance 1 into beaker labeled U1. Do this for
the other 3 substances.
b. Add about 10 drops of Sudan IV to each of the 4 test tubes.
c. Look for a colour change. Record information in your chart.
d. Pour waste into waste beaker and rinse your test tubes.
 Nutrient Lab

Data Collection:
The Presence of Different Nutrients w/ use of Chemical Indicators
Substances glucose starch protein lipids

U1 yes no no no

U2 no no yes no

U3 no yes yes no

U4 no no no yes

Analysis:
1. What are the essential nutrients (macromolecules) that must be in every diet?
- carbohydrate, lipid, protein, nucleic acid

2. Describe carbohydrates
a. the basic structure: made up of C, H, O compounds
b. Monosaccharide: individual, single molecule pieces of carbs (ex: glucose)
Disaccharide: 2 monosaccharides together (ex: sucrose - glucose + fructose)
Polysaccharide: can be hundreds of monosaccharides (ex: starch - long chain of
glucose in plants, animals convert to glucose)
c. function in the body: used for fast energy

3. Describe proteins
a. the basic structure: C, H, O compounds + N and S
b. peptides, polypeptides: proteins have a specific folding pattern to create unique
shapes that allow them to fulfill their function
c. role in the body: make structures and important functional molecules (ex.
Hormones, enzymes, muscles, skin, etc.)
d. folding pattern: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary and Quaternary Structures

4. Describe lipids
a. their structure: made up of C, H, O compounds
b. the difference between saturated: have only single carbon to carbon bonds,
stable + hard to digest, most animal fatty acids are saturated and unsaturated:
can have one or more double bonds between carbons, most are found in plants
as oils, two types: Cis and Trans
c. their function in the body: used for long term energy storage, in the structure of
membranes