Testing a Leaf for Starch

Testing a Leaf for Starch

1. Place leaf into a beaker of boiling water, this will soften leaf tissues

2. 2) Remove leaf from water and place with boiling tube, and cover the leaf with alcohol (ethanol)

3. 3) Place boiling tube in beaker of boilng water

4. 4) The alcohol will boil and remove any chlorophyll from the leaf

5. 5) When leaf is white, remove from boiling alcohol and place in water, to rehydrate

6. 6) Spread leaf onto white tile and cover with iodine

7. Equipment

   • Forceps
   • Boiling tube
   • Iodine
   • White tile
   • Ethanol
   • Leaf
   • Boiling water

8. 7) If it turns black, starch is present. If it is brown it is not