======Sweet Cracker======


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**Alternative titles:** The Science of Spit, Amylase in Action
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Take a plain saltine cracker (or a piece of bread) and rub off any salt.  
  - Place the cracker in your mouth and begin chewing, paying attention to the flavor.  
  - Do not swallow; continue chewing for one to two minutes.  
  - Notice the change in taste as the cracker becomes slightly sweet.




====Links==== 
Amazing Enzymes - Operation Ouch: 
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Description or Video title2 - Author2: 
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📄 Part A: Sweet cracker - National Science Week: [[https://www.scienceweek.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Enzymes-in-Action.pdf]]\\



====Variations==== 
  * Compare how long it takes different people to notice the sweet taste.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Use your own saliva only; do not share food with others.  
  * Dispose of any food used in the saliva test—do not eat it afterwards.  
  * Be cautious with food allergies (bread and crackers may contain gluten).




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does a cracker taste sweeter after chewing for a while? (Because amylase in saliva breaks starch into glucose, which tastes sweet.)  
  * Why can’t your body directly use starch molecules? (They are too large to pass through cell membranes.)  
  * How does glucose benefit the body once it is produced from starch? (It is small enough to enter cells and provide energy.)