Lab Report

The Effects of Amylase on Starch

Andrei Badea Mark Twain

10th Grade Sciences International School
Introduction
Our saliva has a very important role in our digestion. Besides making out food easy
to swallow, it contains amylase, an enzyme that catalyses the breakdown
of starch into sugars. By doing this in an early stage of the digestive process, it eases
the work of the pancreas, which as well produces amylase.

Aim
The aim of this experiment is to find out what effects does amylase have in the
reaction of starch with iodine.

Research Question
How does the presence of amylase influence the reaction of iodine with starch?

Hypothesis
Giving the fact that there will be three tests, every single one will give a different
result. In the first test tube, where amylase will not be present, the iodine ion slips
into the coil of the starch causing an intense blue-black color.
In the second test tube, where some saliva will be added, we will have a similar result
as with the first test, due to the fact that iodine will be added immediately after the
saliva. Amylase will not have enough time to decompose the starch.
In the last test, where the iodine will be added to the starch 30 minutes after the
saliva, I think I will obtain a clear orange solution, due to the fact that amylase will
have decomposed the starch in sugars, thus iodine will not react.

Variables
Independent
-The presence of amylase
Dependent
-The reaction between iodine and starch
Controlled
-Substance quantity:
-2ml of starch in each test
-1ml of saliva in the second and third test
-one drop of iodine in each test
-Period of time the amylase is given to react with the starch in the third test
-30 minutes, measured with a clock

Materials
-3 Test tubes
-Dropper
-Saliva
-Pen
-Clock
-Starch
-Iodine solution
Method
1. All materials were obtained.
2. Each test tube is marked according to what it will contain, using the pen.
3. In each test tube, 2ml of starch is added.
4. In the first test tube, one drop of iodine is added. The reaction is observed.
5. In the second test tube, 1ml of saliva is added, and immediately after one drop of
iodine. The reaction is observed.
6. In the third test tube, 1ml of saliva is added. The mix is given 30 minutes, then one
drop of iodine is added. The reaction is observed.
Data Collection and Processing
Table 1: The color obtained in function of the type of solution
Test Solution characteristics Color
number obtained
Saliv Starc Given 30 Iodin
a h minutes e
1 - ✓ - ✓ Black
2 ✓ ✓ - ✓ Black
3 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Clear golden
Conclusion
The hypothesis was fully proven. In the first test, a black colored solution was
obtained due to the well known reaction between starch and iodine. Iodine ions
merged with the starch molecules, acting as a pigment.
The second test turned out as expected. As amylase didn't have time to react with the
starch, iodine colored the starch molecules.
In the third and final test, a clear golden solution was obtained. By giving the mix of
saliva and starch 30 minutes to react, most of the starch was broke down into sugars.
When iodine was added, it didn't have with whom to react, resulting in a clear
solution, with the iodine's orange color tilt.

Evaluation
This experiment aimed to observe the action of amylase in our saliva upon starch.
The procedural method was very solid. It was fairly simple and straightforward,
with pretty good precision. The experiment went well, and all the reactions turned
out as expected. There was no room for errors, due to the simplicity of the
experiment.