Assays Dealing With Amylase + Proteins and Buffers Flashcards
Explain how the starch assay works and what it can be used for.
The starch assay, or tri-iodide, turns a dark brown when starch is present. When tri-iodide is caught in long starch molecule coils, it causes a visible color change. It can be used for indicating whether or solution has starch in it.
Define a chemical indicator and how it is used in biotechnology.
A chemical indicator is any substance that gives a sign on whether or not a solution has or is lacking a certain thing, and this is useful for biotechnology because it helps indicate the presence of any certain thing within a solution, and gives the user information on what is inside their experiment and what to do from there
Explain how the aldose assay works and what it can be used for.
The aldose assay, like the Benedict’s solution, is an indicator for simple sugars like glucose and maltose.Benedict’s solution is an indicator of some sugars, including glucose and maltose. Benedict’s solution contains a copper compound that reacts with the aldehyde group (C-C=O) on open-chain forms of glucose and maltose. These sugars are called amylase. Depending on the amount of glucose or maltose present, a variety of color appear during testing. It can be used for testing whether or not sugar is present in a solution.
Describe how you might use the starch or the aldose assay in a biotechnology company.
Since amylase decomposes starch molecules, the ability to assay for starch and maltose content in a solution is valuable in an amylase production facility. I might use it if I was working with amylase. To use an indicator for starch and maltose.
Identify an appropriate negative control for both the starch and the aldose assay
Water
Starch sticking to the bottom of the test tube, not heating it up long enough, perception of color
Starch Assay Independent variable: different amylases Dependent variable: color Positive control: starch Negative control: water
Describe how Bradford Reagent can be used to measure the concentration of amylase.
Explain the function of a spectrophotometer.
Explain the purpose of a calibration curve.
Combines with the amylase to turn it a blue color, and spectrophotometer measures absorbence of solutions through colors
Calibration curve helps us determine the concentration of an unknown substance by its known absorbence
Explain what proteins are made from
A chain of amino acids
Give examples of common functions proteins provide in the human body.
Grow things such as hair and nails, fight bacteria
Describe why the improper storage of protein samples is a problem.
If the proteins are not stored properly, they unfold and malfunction, therefore rendering them useless
Identify and explain the conditions that influence whether a protein remains folded in a functioning structure (i.e., temperature and pH).
Must be in the right temperature and pH should be kept in a certain way so the protein does not denature
Define a buffer and why it is needed to properly store proteins.
A buffer is a solution that resists change in pH, and it is important for the proper storage of proteins because it helps the proteins stay the way they are and prevents them from malfunctioning by keeping the pH the same for their living conditions.
