Today we learned about “energy” molecules. Energy molecules are those molecules that fuel our bodies, such as carbohydrates and starches.
In our experiment today we were trying to detect starch in our everyday foods by using iodine.
This was our control; a sheet of absorbent paper that had been dipped in liquid starch and allowed to dry. When the iodine was dropped onto the paper it turned a blackish color. This indicated the presence of starch.
These were the food items we were testing; bread, apple, cracker, potato, banana and pasta.
Here, GB is applying the iodine with a dropper. **Warning ~ iodine is poisonous if swallowed, so please watch your little scientists carefully.
The black spot on the cracker is proof that there is starch in the cracker.
…… and starch in the bread…..
……….starch in the potato……….
The banana is unsure of itself. It had spots of darkness, so we suspect it has some starch. But the energy you get from bananas probably comes from the sugars.
Pasta, of course, is loaded…..
GB was starting to think that everything had starch in it, so we got out the milk and tested it. See? No starch.
