Topic Two (1.2): Food tests

Objectives

By the end of this topic you should be able to:

describe how to test foods for starch, lipids, sugar, and protein;
describe the positive result for each food test.

Introduction

How do scientists work out the nutritional information to add to food packets? They use food tests. In this topic you will learn about some tests for different nutrients. Interestingly nutritionists and researchers are beginning to realise the amount of sugar (for instance) in a food and what our bodies do with it, varies depending on the type of sugar. We are very complex organisms!

Working through your coursebook

Read pages 6–7 of Activate 2.
Make sure that you know the chemicals/apparatus needed to test for starch, lipids, sugar and protein and ensure that you know the colour changes that take place.

WATCH - Key Stage 3 Science (Biology) - Food Tests (YouTube)