7/27/2019 2.4 Put Proteins on Your Pro Team

1/2

Put Proteins on Your Pro Team!Proteins have two major functions in the body. Some proteinshelp the body's chemical reactions take place and others helpmake up important structures in the body such as muscles,cartilage, and tendons. In the following activity, you canexperiment with gelatin, which is made from animal cartilage.

Materials:

Unflavored gelatin Water Paper or plastic cup Teaspoon

Procedures:1. Cover your work surface with newspaper. Empty the

contents of one envelope of gelatin into a cup. Addtwo teaspoons of water while mixing rapidly with a

straw. Continue stirring until the gelatin is well-mixedand thick enough to scoop out with your fingers.2. Scoop out the gelatin mixture and knead it back and

forth between your hands. (Put a little water on yourhands so the gelatin will not stick to your hands toomuch.) Form the gelatin into a ball. Allow the gelatinball to sit for about 2-3 minutes.

3. Gently squeeze the ball of gelatin. What does it feellike? When you press it, does it go back to its originalshape?

4. The outside of your ear isbend your ear and let it gbetween your ear and thetip of you nose to the sidethere is cartilage in your n

5. How about tendons? Sit ithe floor. Bend down andyour ankle. This is your Ait with your fingers. How gelatin?

Think about this Cartilage, tendons, and ligamentscollagen. Feathers, scales, clawsand finger nails are made from a ways are the structures made fromade from keratin similar? In wh

Where's the Chemistry?Gelatin is made from the cartilagprotein in cartilage is collagen. Thmakes it very strong and flexiblegives gelatin the elastic qualities or press down on it and it bounce

200

7/27/2019 2.4 Put Proteins on Your Pro Team

2/2

Science Activities for Children from theAmerican Chemical Soc iety

The American Chemical Society develops materials for elementary school age children tospark their interest in science and teach developmentally appropriate chemistry concepts.TheActivities for Children collection includes hands-on activities, articles, puzzles, andgames on topics related to childrens everyday experiences.

The collection can be used to supplement the science curriculum, celebrate NationalChemistry Week, develop Chemists Celebrate Earth Day events, invite children to givescience a try at a large event, or to explore just for fun at home.

Find more activities, articles, puzzles and games at www.acs.org/kids.

Safety Tips

This activity is intended for elementary school children under the direct supervision of anadult. The American Chemical Society cannot be responsible for any accidents or injuriesthat may result from conducting the activities without proper supervision, from not specificallyfollowing directions, or from ignoring the cautions contained in the text.

Always:

Work with an adult.

Read and follow all directions for the activity.

Read all warning labels on all materials being used. Wear eye protection.

Follow safety warnings or precautions, such as wearing gloves or tying back long hair.

Use all materials carefully, following the directions given.

Be sure to clean up and dispose of materials properly when you are finished with anactivity.

Wash your hands well after every activity.

Nevereat or drink while conducting an experiment, and be careful to keep all of the materialsused away from your mouth, nose, and eyes!

Neverexperiment on your own!

For more detailed information on safety go to www.acs.org/education and click onSafety Guidelines.

2008 American Chemical Societywww.acs.org/kids

http://www.acs.org/kidshttp://www.acs.org/educationhttp://www.acs.org/educationhttp://www.acs.org/kids