Example of Methods page I wrote

    Materials: The materials used in this experiment are as follows: 4x4 in. Brown paper, Drop of Oil, Drop of water, drop of five unknowns (for the Lipid Test); 500ml of the following (glucose solution, distilled water, unknowns 1-5), test tubes, 1 ml of Benedict’s reagent (for the Simple Sugar Test). Seven Test tubes, 1 mL of starch, 1 mL of distilled water, 1 mL of each unknown 1-4, two drops of Lugol’s iodine reagent (for each tube) (for the Starch Test). 2 mL of each unknown (1-5), 2 mL of 2.5% NaOH, 3 drops of Biuret reagent (for each tube) (Protein Test)

    Methods: The method for the experiments in this lab are as follows:

Part 1 Identifying Lipids. To identify which unknowns are lipids, obtain a small square of brown paper, divide into seven sections. Label them, Water, Oil, Unknown #1, Unknown #2, Unknown #3,Unknown #4,Unknown #5. Put a small drop of each substance on each section of the brown paper and rub it in gently with your fingertip. Allow the substances to dry (approximately one hour), then record your results.

    Part 2 Identifying Carbohydrates. To identify carbohydrates in the unknown, two tests are done. The simple sugar test, in which you start by making a boiling bath of water. Obtain seven test tubes and label them #1-7. Put 500 mL of 0.01 M glucose in tube #1. Put 500 mL of distilled water in tube #2. In tubes #3-7, put 500 mL of the unknown substances in the tubes, each tube with only one substance. Add 1 mL of Benedict’s reagent to each tube. Place the tubes in the boiling bath for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, remove the tubes from the water bath using tongs. Place in tube rack to cool for a 2 minutes. Record observations. The second test, Testing for Starch, goes as follows. Obtain seven tubes and label them #1-7. Put 1 mL of 1% starch solution in tube 1. Put 1 mL of distilled water in tube 2. Put 1 mL of unknowns in each of the remaining tubes. Add 2 drops of Lugol’s iodine reagent to each tube. Record your observations.

    Part 3 Identifying Proteins. To identify protein in solution, Biuret Reagent. Obtain 7 test tubes and label them #1-7. Add 2 mL of each material to the appropriate tube. Add 2 mL of 2.5 NaOH to each tube. Add 3 drops of Biuret reagent to each tube, mix thoroughly. Hold the tubes against white piece of paper for better contrast. Record Changes.