Biofuel Lab

In this lab, Brik and company are going to make cellulosic ethanol, an efficient and more sustainable source of fuel. Cellulosic ethanol is derived from cellulose, found in the walls of most plant cells. Using a special enzyme called cellobiase, Brik is gonna break down the cellulose into cellobiose, which is two gluclose molecules fused at the head. From there, it is broken down further into glucose, which can be fermented into ethanol. In order to fully grasp the magnitude of this epic process, Brik must first explain the function of enzymes. Enzymes serve as catalysts, lowering the activation energy of the reaction, and increasing the speed of said reaction. Enzymes are proteins that have a specific 3-D shape that defines their purpose. Enzymes can only function at certain temperatures and pH levels. Now, Brik moves on to explain cullulases, the enzyme responsible for breaking down the cellulose into glucose. Humans and other animals cannot make this enzyme, and cannot digest plant matter alone, but Brik and his microbe and fungal friends can. Some animals, like termites and cows, host micro organisms capable of breaking down plant matter. But enough backfground information. Onward, to the important part! Brik and company are going to get four conical tubes, two of which are filled; one with the substrate, one with the stop solution. The empty ones will be branded as "Enzyme Reaction" and "Control." After obtaining and labeling five cuvettes E1-E5, Brik adds 500 microliters of stop solution to each using a disposable pipette, which will be hereby known as the STOP pipette. With a new pipette, Brik plans to add 2 mL of substrate to the tube labeled "Enzyme Reaction," and 1 mL into the "Control" tube.