The most important metabolic pathway of living organisms is photosynthesis because its products directly or indirectly affect most living organisms.

True or False?

Choice A rationale: Iodine is a chemical element that forms a brown solution of iodine and potassium iodide, known as iodine solution. When this solution is added to a sample that contains starch, it forms a complex with the starch molecules, which changes the color of the solution to blue-black. This is based on the fact that starch is a polysaccharide that has a helical structure, which can trap the iodine molecules inside. ²

Choice B rationale: Biuret is a chemical compound that forms a blue solution of copper (II) sulfate and sodium hydroxide, known as biuret reagent. When this reagent is added to a sample that contains proteins or peptides, it forms a complex with the copper (II) ions, which changes the color of the solution to violet or pink. This is based on the fact that proteins and peptides have peptide bonds, which have nitrogen atoms that can coordinate with the copper (II) ions. ³

Choice C rationale: Benedict's is a chemical compound that forms a blue solution of copper (II) sulfate, sodium carbonate, and sodium citrate, known as Benedict's reagent. When this reagent is heated with a sample that contains reducing sugars, such as glucose or maltose, it reduces the copper (II) ions to copper (I) ions, which form a red, orange, or green precipitate of copper (I) oxide. This is based on the fact that reducing sugars have free aldehyde or ketone groups that can donate electrons to the copper (II) ions. ⁴

Choice D rationale: Phenol red is a chemical compound that forms a red solution that is used as a pH indicator. When this solution is added to a sample that has an acidic or neutral pH, it remains red or turns yellow. When this solution is added to a sample that has an alkaline pH, it turns pink or fuchsia. This is based on the fact that phenol red has a sulfonated hydroxyquinone group that can lose or gain protons depending on the pH of the solution. ⁵

Choice E rationale: Sudan IV is a chemical compound that forms a red powder that is used as a stain for lipids. When this powder is dissolved in a solvent and added to a sample that contains lipids, such as fats or oils, it dissolves in the lipids and stains them red. When this solution is added to a sample that does not contain lipids, it remains in the solvent and does not stain the sample. This is based on the fact that Sudan IV is a nonpolar compound that can dissolve in nonpolar substances like lipids, but not in polar substances like water. ⁶.

Choice A rationale: A cover slip is correct because a cover slip is a thin, transparent piece of glass or plastic that can be placed over the specimen on the slide. A cover slip protects the specimen from drying out, dust, or damage, and creates a flat surface for viewing under the microscope.

Choice B rationale: Clear paper is incorrect because clear paper is not suitable for covering a wet mount specimen. Clear paper is a type of paper that is transparent or translucent, but it is not thin or flat enough to fit over the specimen on the slide. Clear paper can also interfere with the passage of light or distort the image of the specimen.

Choice C rationale: Transparent tape is incorrect because transparent tape is also not suitable for covering a wet mount specimen. Transparent tape is a type of adhesive tape that is clear or see-through, but it is sticky and can damage the specimen or the slide. Transparent tape can also affect the quality of the image or the focus of the microscope.

Choice D rationale: Another glass slide is incorrect because another glass slide is too thick and heavy to cover a wet mount specimen. Another glass slide is a thin, flat piece of glass or plastic that can be used to place the specimen on, but not over it. Another glass slide can also crush the specimen or block the light source of the microscope.