Biology, Answering the Big Questions of Life/Lipids lab

LIPIDS LAB thumb|English version of File:Micelas surfactantes.jpg The borders of cells and organelles are made of lipids. To understand how membranes can work, we will mix oil and water and show that they don't mix. Then we will use detergent to show how oil and water can be mixed. This is how soap is used to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microbes. It is also how membrane proteins like channels and pumps can fit themselves into membranes for membrane transport. SUPPLIES Small bottles with cap oil water food coloring hand dish soap INSTRUCTIONS 1. Pour oil the bottles. 2. Add food coloring to the water 3. Pour water into the bottle. 4. Shake the bottles to mix the oil and water. 5. Observe the formation of micelles and lipid bilayers. 6. Watch how oil and water separate. 7. Add 3 drops of detergent to one of the two bottles. 8. Mix the two bottles and watch as both begin to separate.