Leaving Cert Biology Experiments - All: (a) The main ingredient in a spo

Question

(a) The main ingredient in a sports drink is water.

(i) Give one reason why the body needs water.

Water is essential for numerous bodily functions, including maintaining cell structure, facilitating biochemical reactions, transporting nutrients, and regulating body temperature.

(ii) Give one way in which water is lost from the body.

One way water is lost from the body is through sweating.

(b) The composition of a colourless sports drink is to be investigated. Use your knowledge of food testing to answer the following:

1. Name the test or name the chemical used to test the sports drink for the presence of glucose (reducing sugar).

The test used for detecting glucose is the Clinistix test or Benedict's test (or Fehling's test).

(ii) If glucose is present in the drink, what colour change would you expect to see? In your answer give the initial and final colour of the test solution.

In the Clinistix test, the initial colour of the solution is orange, and the final colour changes to blue or, in the case of Benedict’s test, it changes from blue to red after heating.

(iii) Is heat necessary for this test?

Yes, heat is necessary for the Benedict's test but not for the Clinistix test.

2. Name the test or give the chemicals used to test the sports drink for the presence of protein.

The Biuret test is used to test for proteins, which involves using sodium hydroxide and copper sulfate.

(ii) If protein is present in the drink, what colour change would you expect to see? In your answer give the initial and final colour of the test solution.

The initial colour of the Biuret test solution is blue, and it changes to violet/purple/lilac if protein is present.

(iii) Is heat necessary for this test?

No, heat is not necessary for the Biuret test.

(a) The main ingredient in a sports drink is water - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 7 - 2009

Worked Solution & Example Answer:(a) The main ingredient in a sports drink is water - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 7 - 2009

Give one reason why the body needs water.

Give one way in which water is lost from the body.

Name the test or name the chemical used to test the sports drink for the presence of glucose (reducing sugar).

If glucose is present in the drink, what colour change would you expect to see? In your answer give the initial and final colour of the test solution.

Is heat necessary for this test?

Name the test or give the chemicals used to test the sports drink for the presence of protein.

If protein is present in the drink, what colour change would you expect to see? In your answer give the initial and final colour of the test solution.

Is heat necessary for this test?

Join the Leaving Cert students using SimpleStudy...