Digestive Enzymes Lab

Concept Covered: Enzymes play a role in the digestion process in the small intestine.
These enzymes must be present for the breakdown of macromolecules to occur.
Standards Covered:

CO.HS.2.3:Cellularmetabolicactivitiesarecarriedoutbybiomolecules
producedbyorganisms.
HSLS16:Constructandreviseanexplanationbasedonevidenceforhow
carbon,hydrogen,andoxygenfromsugarmoleculesmaycombinewith
otherelementstoformaminoacidsand/orotherlargecarbonbased
molecules.

Learning Objectives:

Students will be able to (SWBAT): discuss the digestions of macromolecules in

the presence of enzymes.
SWBAT: interpret and make conclusions about data obtained through the use of
biological indicators.

Materials:
For the Class:
5% Pancreatin solution
5% Pepsin solution
10 % Cornstarch suspension
Lugols reagent

For Each Group:

500 mL beaker
Thermometer
Paper cup
Disposable pipette

Benedicts reagent
Hard boiled egg
Bile salts
Heavy cream

12 test tubes with caps

4 small test tubes
Hot plate
Timer (can use phone)

For Each Student:

Safety glasses
Dissection Guide

Preparation:
Prepare enzyme solutions
Have dissection guides printed
Note: The benedicts solution indicator may be viewed the following class period.

Procedure:
Hook:
o Have students read digestion lab before class and come prepared with any
questions.
o Students should make predictions for each of the lab sections.
Procedure
1. Participate in the digestive enzymes lab. Follow the instructions given to
you in the digestive enzyme lab guide. During this lab you will run the
following experiments:
i. Digestion of starch with amylase
ii. Digestion of lipids with lipase
iii. Digestion of proteins with protease
iv. (SEE LAB GUIDE FOR PROCESS)
2. Students will write the conclusion for each lab section. They should
explain the results that you obtained as well as why you got these results.
3. Students answer the post lab questions. These questions ask about why
certain experimental measures were taken as well as specifics about the
reactions occurring.
4. Students answer the final post lab question. This question asks you to
evaluate the lab procedure you used and why certain results may not have
been what you expected.
Closure:
o Have students share out things they learned. Students can also share
the conclusions they made during the experiment.
Differentiation:
Allow students to choose their own groups.
For gifted students, provide the opportunity to write their own experiment instead
of using the one provided.
The lab can be shortened and some of the steps can be completed before hand for
students who need an accommodation

Anticipated misconceptions:
The reaction makes a compound instead of breaking it down.
Assessment:
Post Lab Questions
Questioning during the lab from the teacher
o Why doesnt this lab happen quickly?
o Why are we using this specific enzyme?
o Where does this process occur in the body?