Biofuels Lab

Introduction:
     In this lab, we will discover how to make biofuels. Biofuels are substitutions for the world's current fuel source, crude oil. Using the biomass of plants, scientists can synthesize cleaner fuel for the environment. By converting to biofuel, the plants that grow can clean the air of the carbon dioxide that is released from combustion. Granted that the harvesting of some products, like corn, for other than food, can create scarcity or market competition, the benefits outweigh the costs. If scientists genetically modify a plant that is specifically grown for this need, then competition will be less of a problem, and countries can more thoroughly fight crude oil dependency. After engineering said plant, scientists need to convert the biomass into usable fuel. In nature we have mushrooms that decompose material with their enzymes. These enzymes can be used for the genetically engineered plant to break down the cellulose and convert it into glucose. Through the process of microbial fermentation, ethanol can be harvested. The various types of fuel can be the new source of power in the future.
Purpose: Students, like us, become familiar with terms such as substrate, enzyme function, catalysts, and biofuels. Learning how enzymes are used to break down organic substances can be key for future in a career working in labs.
Procedure:
     Normally, the video would show the procedure of the lab, but since there are technical problems, i will summarize the significance of each step.

1. We will use a stop solution, an enzyme, and a buffer.
2. We will take 5 cuvettes to show the enzyme's product increase over time
3. Using the pipette, we put 2 ml of 1.5mM substrate into two conical tubes, one being the enzyme reaction and the other a control. 
4. We then took 500 microliters of buffer solution and mixed it with the control test tube.
5. Then we pipetted 1 ml of enzyme into the enzyme reaction tube.
6. After several intervals of time, we took 500 microliters of the enzyme reaction and put them in chronological order in the cuvettes.

Day 2 proved to be similar, except mushroom paste was added to increase the reaction rate of the reaction so that more products were made in less time. The natural enzymes in the mushroom used for decomposition represent the natural materials that can be used to create biofuels.

Results:
     The results were as predicted with the increased darkening over time of the yellowish color of each progressive sample of product. The mushroom extract in day 2 aided in the production times. We learned that the chemical reaction would not continue forever because eventually the production rate would plateau, due to  a lack of resources, therefore the reaction has limited reactants.

Conclusion:
     Overall, the lab gave a good review of chemical reactions and proper lab measurements. Biofuels are an important subject to teach early because future generations may not have the fossil fuel option that is currently being used. Nature presents a ready solution for an energy problem, so taking the opportunity for a clean, progressive movement is vital.