IGCSE : GRADE VIII

TESTING OF BIOCHEMICALS
BIOLOGY
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• TO DESCRIBE SIMPLE CHEMICAL TESTS FOR THE

MOLECULES OF LIVING ORGANISMS.
• Describe the use of: – iodine solution to test for starch – Benedict’s
solution to test for reducing sugars – biuret test for proteins –
ethanol emulsion test for fats and oils – DCPIP test for vitamin C
 How is it possible for a scientist to identify a
special type of molecule in a solution?
• By testing that solution.
• Example : doctor testing urine sample to check diabetics
• Environmental scientist testing starch out flow from food factory.
Biochemical test in the molecules of living
organisms
 NEED OF CONTROL
WHY DO WE NEED TO PREPARE CONTROL ?
• To make sure that results are valid.
• To show that the test is working properly .
• (eg : reagents used in test should positive result )
• To make sure that test solutions are not contaminated.
• (eg : test sample carried out with water to get negative result)
 WHAT ARE LIPIDS ?
• Lipids are molecules that contain hydrocarbons and make up the
building blocks of the structure and function of living cells. Examples of
lipids include fats, oils, waxes, certain vitamins (such as A, D, E and K),
hormones and most of the cell membrane that is not made up of protein.
• They are insoluble in water.
• Fats are insoluble in physical test.
• The test for fats done is emulsion test.
 Proteins
• Proteins are large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the
body. They do most of the work in cells and are required for the structure,
function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs. ... There are 20
different types of amino acids that can be combined to make a protein.
• Proteins are linear polymers built of monomer units called amino acids.
• Protein is found throughout the body—in muscle, bone, skin, hair, and virtually
every other body part or tissue. It makes up the enzymes that power many
chemical reactions and the hemoglobin that carries oxygen in your blood.
 TEST FOR GLUCOSE ( REDUCING SUGAR)

• We used Benedict's reagent to test for one particular reducing sugar:

glucose. Benedict's reagent starts out aqua-blue. As it is heated in the
presence of reducing sugars, it turns yellow to orange. The "hotter" the
final color of the reagent, the higher the concentration of reducing
sugar.
Benedict’s Test
 Carbohydrates
• Carbohydrates are a type of macronutrient found in certain
foods and drinks. Sugars, starches and fiber are carbohydrates.
• The iodine–starch test is a chemical reaction that is used to test for
the presence of starch or for iodine. The combination of starch and
iodine is intensely blue-black.
 Vitamin C
• Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid and ascorbate) is
a vitamin found in various foods and sold as a dietary supplement.It is
used to prevent and treat scurvy.Vitamin C is an essential
nutrient involved in the repair of tissue and the enzymatic production of
certain neurotransmitters.It is required for the functioning of several
enzymes and is important for immune system function .It also functions
as an antioxidant. Most animals are able to synthesize their own vitamin
C, although humans, the other great and lesser apes, monkeys (but not
all primates), most bats, some rodents, and certain other animals must
acquire it from dietary sources.
 TEST FOR VITAMIN C

2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCPIP) can be used to estimate the

concentration of vitamin C in food. DCPIP is blue when dissolved
in water, is red in acid conditions, and is reduced by ascorbic acid
(vitamin C) ) to a colourless compound.
What is difference between fats & lipids?
Thank you