Mello Jello Lab
Objectives:
Determine what enzymes, if any, are present in two types of juice and how they would affect
Jello.
Explain the role of enzymes in biological processes.
Materials:
(3) squares of Jello
Water
Pineapple Juice
Orange Juice
3 Dixie cups
Inquiry Problem:
What affects, if any, is there when Jello and various liquids are mixed?
Predictions:
1. What liquids, if any, do you think will have an effect on the Jello?
2. If yes, what affect do you think it will have? What will it do to the jello?
3. Explain your reasoning for question 2.
4. Do you think the temperature of the liquids will have an effect? Explain.
5. Do you think the pH of the liquids will have an effect? Explain.
Procedure:
1. Obtain three equal squares of Jello. Record your observations about the Jello.
2. Place one square in each of the Dixie cups. Label one cup with a W, a P, and an O.
3. Measure the temperature and the pH of each liquid. Record in your data table.
4. Measure out 10 ml of each liquid. Pour into the appropriately labeled cup.
5. Let sit overnight.
6. The next day, record your observations about each Jello square in your data table.
7. Complete the lab conclusion section.
Data Table:
Water Cup
pH
Temperature
Observation of Jello
before submersion
Observation of Jello
after submersion
Conclusion about
effect of liquid on
Jello
Pineapple Juice Cup
Orange Juice Cup
Post-Lab Questions:
1. Identify the control of the experiment, the variables of the experiment, the independent
and dependent variables.
2. What happened to your jello in the water? Explain the result.
3. What happened to your jello in the pineapple juice? Explain your result.
4. What happened to your jello in the orange juice? Explain your result.
5. Since this is an enzyme lab, use your knowledge of proteins and enzymes to explain the
jello changes that may have resulted.
6. Did the temperature play a significant role in the experiment (was it a variable)? Why or
why not?
7. Did the pH play a significant role in the experiment (was it a variable)? Why or why not?
8. Write a conclusion paragraph that summarizes the purpose of this lab, and what it
showed you.
9. How could you extend this lab? What other variables would you use to test enzymes?
Write a brief summary of how you would set it up.
Post-Lab Questions:
1. Identify the control of the experiment, the variables of the experiment, the independent
and dependent variables.
2. What happened to your jello in the water? Explain the result.
3. What happened to your jello in the pineapple juice? Explain your result.
4. What happened to your jello in the orange juice? Explain your result.
5. Since this is an enzyme lab, use your knowledge of proteins and enzymes to explain the
jello changes that may have resulted.
6. Did the temperature play a significant role in the experiment (was it a variable)? Why or
why not?
7. Did the pH play a significant role in the experiment (was it a variable)? Why or why not?
8. Write a conclusion paragraph that summarizes the purpose of this lab, and what it
showed you.
9. How could you extend this lab? What other variables would you use to test enzymes?
Write a brief summary of how you would set it up.