Praxis: A lesson in mucus

By Patty Rooks on November 9, 2019.

praxis@praxismh.ca@PraxisMedHat

I have been sick for what seems like an eternity! I cannot get rid of my runny nose! No one else around me is ill, how come I caught this delightful little bug? It’s Snot Fair! Haha! Yes, I am feeling a bit sorry for myself today. Since I am full of it this week, I thought I would do some really gross science and make our own mucus and have a little lesson in just what it is. Let’s get started!

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

– stove/hotplate

– pot

– measuring cups

– measuring spoons

– unflavoured gelatin

– corn syrup

– wooden spoon for stirring

– green food colouring

Procedure

1. Measure 125 mL (1/2 cup) of water and pour it into the pot.

2. Have an adult help you bring the water to a boil.

3. Remove from the heat. Add a few drops of green food colouring to the water (if you wish).

4. Open three packages of unflavoured gelatin and sprinkle it evenly over the top of the water. Allow this to sit for about three or four minutes. After it has softened a bit, stir gently with the spoon.

5. Measure 250 mL (one cup) of corn syrup and stir it into the gelatin mixture. Stir well. If it is a little thin, add more corn syrup a tiny bit at a time. If the mixture is too thick add a little water a bit at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

6. Allow this to cool before you start grossing people out with it!!

What is going on?

In this experiment you made fake mucus. Nonetheless, I think it looks pretty real! Add a little pinch of dirt to the mucus and then look at it. Actually this is no different than when dust gets trapped in your nose. Mucus really is a useful part of your body fluids. It helps trap all of the dust, pollen and other nasty particles floating around in the air before it goes into our lungs.

Did you know that mucus is made out of sugars and proteins? This is exactly what you used to make your own fake mucus! It was just different proteins (gelatin) and sugars (corn syrup). It is those proteins in the mucus that make it really long, stretchy and oh so sticky and gooey! OK I think that is enough disgusting science for today! I hope you had fun!!

Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. NOTE our NEW address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403.527.5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca.

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