This module focuses on the production of sugar (glucose and maltose) from cornstarch. There are three activities:

• The first lesson from this module compares glucose production from cornstarch to ethanol fuel production from corn stover.
• The second lesson uses a calculator-based colorimeter interface from the Vernier™ Company to quantify the hydrolysis of starch to sugar by salivary amylase.
• The third lesson also uses colorimetry, this time to measure starch hydrolysis with dilute (1% volume to volume) sulfuric acid. It also includes suggestions for using starch hydrolysis and colorimetry as a basis for student designed experiments.

Various chemistry lab supplies

Science Content Standards: 9-12

CONTENT STANDARD A: Science as Inquiry

• Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
• Understandings about scientific inquiry

CONTENT STANDARD B: Physical Science

• Structure of atoms
• Structures and of properties in matter
• Chemical reactions

CONTENT STANDARD C: Life Science

• Understanding of the cell

CONTENT STANDARD E: Science and Technology

• Abilities of technological design
• Understandings about science and technology

CONTENT STANDARD F: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives

• Natural resources
• Environmental quality
• Science and technology in local, national, and global challenges

CONTENT STANDARD G: History and Nature of Science

• Science as a human endeavor
• Nature of scientific knowledge