Wade Kaufmann, age 14, of Cleveland, Ohio, for his question:

WHERE DO WE GET GELATIN?

Gelatin is a protein substance that is obtained by boiling certain animal bones and connective tissue containing collagen in water or dilute acid. When purified, it is colorless, transparent, odorless and tasteless.

Gelatin will dissolve in hot water and it will form a gel or jelly upon cooling. In its purest form it is used as an ingredient in foods. It is highly nutritious and easily digested and absorbed.

Gelatin is used in making jellies, jams, ice cream and marshmallows. It is also used as a setting for other foods in aspics.

It is used in bacteriology as a culture medium and in medicine as a coating for pills. Gelatin is also used in dyeing and in photomechanical printing processes.

Glue is an impure form of gelatin. A purified form of gelatin from the air bladders of certain fish, including cod and catfish, is known as isinglass.