Lesson 2
A. Watch the Denaturation & Coagulation Lesson Video
Materials:
· 12 Wikki Stix
· Wooden Skewer or pencil
Procedure:
1. Wrap each Wikki around the skewer to form a tight coil, as shown in the lesson video.
2. Twist the two ends of the Wikki in opposite directions to break the tension, then slide it off the end.
3. Slightly pull each coil to elongate it, then fold it over on itself a few times, pressing points of contact to create bonds.
4. Continue this process until you have a group of shapes simulating natural protein molecules.
5. Separate and unwind each Wikki to simulate denaturing.
6. Arrange the “relaxed” Wikkis into a crisscross web to simulate coagulation.
Materials:
· 2 identical clear glasses
· 2 bottles of liquid food coloring
· 2 liquid measuring cups or jars
· Water
· Ice
Procedure:
1. Set up your observation area with the glasses and food coloring.
2. Combine 1 ½ cups of cold water and ½ cup of ice in a measuring cup or jar.
3. Pour 1 ½ cups of hot tap water into a separate cup or jar. Microwave for 30 seconds to heat the water further.
4. Remove the ice from the cold water.
5. Fill one glass with the hot water and fill the other glass with the cold water, doing your best to get the levels even. (Condensation will form on the cold glass, but you’ll still be able to see the results.)
6. Give the water a few seconds to stop moving, then add a drop of food coloring to each glass at the same time.
7. Observe how the color spreads throughout each glass. This is called dispersion. Does one seem to be getting around faster than the other? Why is this so?