King_7.

1_3/8/23 Criterion B

An investigation on how long it takes for starch to be digested by amylase

B.i Introduction:

Starch can be broken down my amylase, which is an enzyme working as a catalyst of

reaction. Iodine solution can be used to track the digestion of starch by amylase: it is
yellow and forms a blue-black complex with starch.

Iodine solution is added to be removed sample of solution for investigating the presence
of starch. Solution will remain blue-black when starch is present. So, when all the starch is
broken down, a blue-black colour is no longer produced. The iodine solution will become
orange, brown.

B.i Research Question:

How long would it take for starch to be digested by amylase

B.ii Hypothesis:
When the amylase completely breaks down starch, starch will be absent in the test tube,
the colour of solution will change from yellow colour if iodine in glucose solution to the
dark brown colour of iodine

B.iii Variables:
Controlled Variables (at
Explanation of how you will control the variable
least three)
Temperature Temperature can affect enzyme activity. This can be controlled by
a water bath.

Concentration of Equal drops of amylase solution are added to the starch-amylase

amylase in removed solution.
sample
Amount of starch in Equal drops of starch solution are added to the starch-amylase
removed sample solution.

Volume of solution of Equal volumes of test tube samples are prepared with the same
removed sample water level.

Independent Variable Explanation of how you will manipulate the variable

time for amylase to Five test tubes with enzymes are set up. For one-minute intervals,
break down starch the test tubes are removed one by one to test for the testing with
iodine solution. The earlier the test tube removed, the shorter time
allowed for amylase to break down starch.
Dependent Variable Explanation of how you will measure the variable
color of starch amylase If starch still exists in the solution, iodine will form a blue-black complex and
solution tested with does not react with glucose produced.
If starch is completely digested and becomes absent in the test tube, only the
iodine solution yellow of iodine solution remains.

B.iv Materials:

Chemicals Apparatus

Amylase Laptop ( timer )

Starch test tubes

Iodine solution dropper

water bath
 Safety Precautions:
B.iv Wear safety goggles.
Amylase solution may cause allergic reactions.
Iodine solution is irritant. Avoid contact with skin and eyes.

B.iv Procedure: (please make sure others can repeat your experiment by following this
procedure):

1. Before the experiment, a tube containing amylase solution and a tube containing starch
solution are placed in a water bath for 15 minutes. The solutions are provided with time to
reach the temperature of the water bath.

2. The starch solution and enzyme solution are then mixed in one tube, and then an equal
amount of mixed solution is divided into 5 test tubes of solution, with equal volume.

3. The tube should be placed in the water bath for the rest of the experiment.

4. One test tube is removed at one-minute intervals from the test tube to be tested with a
few drops of iodine solution. The color of the solution after adding iodine solution is
observed and recorded at one-minute intervals.

5. The testing process is repeated with the color of the solution gradually changing to
yellow. The experiment ends until iodine does not change color.