Chemistry of Life (Instructor Materials Preparation)

Lab Materials

This is the prep for one section of 24 students.

Part 1: pH Chemistry

Students will do this part in table teams (groups of 4).

Materials Quantity Notes
pH papers (1–14) 1 set per table Also used in Parts 2 and 3
White plastic tray with wells (paint trays) 1 per table
Wax pencil 1 per table Also used for Part 2
Forceps 1 per table
Solutions to Test
Distilled water Very small amounts In squeeze bottle
Bleach Very small amounts In beakers on the side water
Aspirin Very small amounts (with small mortar and pestle, so it can be crushed and added to water)
Lemon juice Very small amounts In beakers on the side water
Milk Very small amounts In beakers on the side water

Part 2: Buffers

Students will do this part in table teams (groups of 4).

Materials Quantity Notes
Baking Soda (NaHCO3) 1 gram per table (two large boxes total?)
Beaker (250 mL) 2 per table
0.001 M HCl (hydrochloric acid) 1 L per side of the room
Balances 4 side counter
Scoops 2 for baking soda
weigh papers with balances

Part 3: Buffers in the Blood

Students will do this part in pairs.

Materials Quantity Notes
Ehrlenmeyer flask (50 mL) 4 per table
Drinking straw 2 per table Put these at the front table so they are clean
Phenol red 1 per table

Part 4: Polar and Nonpolar Compounds

Students will do this part in table teams (groups of 4).

Materials Quantity Notes
Test tubes 2 per table
Test tube rack 1 per table
Detergent on side counter Just a few drops per group are needed.
Beet juice on side counter Just a few drops per group are needed.
Chili oil on side counter Just a few drops per group are needed.
Oil on side counter About half a test tube per group
Plastic stir sticks 4 per table