Question

Propose a new 'enzyme exercise' which could be adapted to online learning (i.e, perhaps an experiment that can be conducted in the kitchen). The experiment teaches the main concepts about enzymes and you describe an experiment with independent and dependent variables and controls. Feel free to submit something you found online and suggest modifications. Make sure to reference your sources. You may use your lab manual as a reference.

Answer 1

The Renin enzyme experiment can be done at home. This enzyme is available at health food stores and can also be found in the Junket at grocery stores. The renin eznyme breaks the bonds in the caesin molecule converting this component insoluble, thus leading to formation of clots (curdled milk).

Add equal volumes of milk (room temperature) and junket in a test tube/small beaker. And add equal volumes of milk and distilled water in another. In another test tube add milk (cold) and junket. For control just take milk in a beaker. Wait for 10 minutes and then, record the observations. The milk (room temperature) dissolved with the junket will clot while the others will stay the same.

Wait for another 15-20 minutes, then again record the observation. It will be observed that the beaker containing cold milk will now start to clot too. This proves that the enzymes need a certain temperaure to function.

The independent variable in this is the temperature of the milk used and the mix added to the milk (Junket or distilled water). The dependent variable is the clotting of the milk. The control is the beaker with just the milk.