Swara placed two drops of iodine solution on a cut slice of raw potato and observed a dark blue-black colour…

Swara placed two drops of iodine solution on a cut slice of raw potato and observed a dark blue-black colour. However, when she tested pure mustard oil with iodine solution, no blue-black colour appeared. What can she infer from this observation?
  1. Potato contains fats, whereas mustard oil contains proteins
  2. Potato contains starch, whereas mustard oil does not contain starch
  3. Mustard oil neutralizes the iodine solution instantly
  4. Potato contains simple sugars that react specifically with iodine

Solution

Iodine solution gives a characteristic dark blue-black colour only when it reacts with starch. Potatoes are rich in starch, while mustard oil consists of fats.

Asked in: Homi Bhabha Practice

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