Non-CID post : Biology Practical Reflection

On the 7th of July, I attended my second biology practical lesson to learn more about food test. We carried out 4 different tests to see if the presence of proteins, starch, oil/ fats and reduced sugar.  Before we carried out the experiments, the demonstrations of each test gave us a better understanding of the conduct of proving the biological molecules in food. Thus, I learnt to spend five minutes reading the procedures of each test and prepare the apparatus and materials to make them ready for use for the various experiments. With the Bunsen burner boiling a 150ml-filled with water beaker, I added drops of starch suspension, glucose solution, egg albumin solution and copper(II) sulfate solution to four cleaned test tubes respectively to make good use of every minute, with the hopes of completing the four tests as fast as possible. In addition, I filled up four other test tubes with distilled water which were acting as control set-ups to prove the results of the tests reliable and accurate. The conduct of each tests were relatively easy and manageable. I gained deeper insights to the important minor things to look out for. For example, from the carrying out of the test for reducing sugar, I learnt that the level of liquid in the test tube should never be above the water level in the beaker. However, if such situations happen, it would be best recommended to remove the test tubes and beaker from the set-up, fill up the beaker until water level is higher than that in the test tubes and wait for the water to boil before adding the two test tubes into the beaker back again. I have also discerned the most effective method of pouring water, simply by wrapping a towel around the beaker and pour the contents into the sink. Although this technique might seem very mundane, this was my first time conducting the test involving a boiling water bath individually and that fact that I could execute it made me feel a sense of achievement and satisfaction. Aside from the positive things from this practical, there were many cases of breakage during this lesson and the sound of glass breaking no doubt lowered my confidence and made me hectic, resulting in trembling hands. Despite this, I am glad that I was still able to finish all of the tests on time (even with a time limit!).