What factors determine the rate of encapsulation and diffusion with sodium alginate?
PRE LAB OBJECTIVES
-Group 1:
What is sodium alginate?
A natural polymer of kelp and sea weed
Define polymer.
Principle component of the cell wall in algae
-Group 2:
Define the term hydrophilic.
Water loving
What makes sodium alginate extremely hydrophilic?
Ionic –co2 and –oh groups
-Group 3:
Describe how sodium alginate is used in many processed foods.
It is a thickening agent
-Group 4:
Model
-Group 5:
What happens to sodium alginate if you replace the sodium ions in sodium alginate with calcium ions?
The sodium alginate becomes calcium alginate which is an insoluble gel.
What is chelating ligand?
Polymer where each Ca2+ ion is bound to four –CO2- groups
-Group 6:
What happened when a concentrated solution of sodium alginate is added drop wise to a dilute solution of calcium chloride?
Insoluble spheres form
How does this lab model nanotechnology?
The capsules are semi-permeable
-Group 7:
List all safety precautions for this lab below.
Goggles, gloves, and aprons
BACKGROUND
This lab is a good example of nanotechnology. It accurately displays the main goal of nanotechnology, which is to get objects into living cells. So, since it is such a good example you need to know what nanotechnology is. Nanotechnology is the science of manipulating materials on an atomic or molecular scale. Now that you know that you need to know the more specific information behind this particular lab. This lab deals directly with capsules of calcium alginate. These capsules and made by replacing the sodium in the sodium alginate with calcium. Sodium alginate is natural polymer that makes up the cell wall of kelp, seaweed, and brown algae. Sodium alginate is also hydrophilic, which means it is water
