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Macromolecules Lab Report
Macromolecules Lab Report
Hannah Barlow
Introduction:
This experiment was meant to teach us the four kinds of macromolecules: proteins,
lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. We are to perform 4 tests which will determine
if the four macromolecules are present.
A Macromolecule is a large molecule that has small molecules that link together. There
are four kinds of macromolecules. These include: lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and
nucleic acids.
Lipids are organic compounds that are oily when touching and are not soluble.
Examples of lipids are: waxes, oils, steroids, fatty acids. This would include fish,
sunflower seeds, canola oil, and green vegetables. Lipids are very beneficial for the
body. They allow brain function, protective layer for organs, natural steroids, and
supporting the reproductive system. In this experiment we will use Sudan III to test for
lipids on filtered paper.
Proteins are long chains of amino acids. These amino acids are compounds made up of
one amino group and one carboxyl group. There are two types: essential and
nonessential. In total, there are twenty. In this experiment, we will use Biuret’s reagent
to detect if there are proteins present.
Carbohydrates are the body’s main source of energy. They can be stored for quick use,
immediate use, or later use. Carbohydrates are produced in green plants during
photosynthesis. There are to types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. Simple
carbohydrates are also known as simple sugars. Complex carbohydrates are at least
three linked sugar molecules. Complex carbohydrates are often found in whole grain
foods, yams, and beans. In this experiment, we will use Benedict’s reagent to find
reducing sugars that are present, and the IKI solution is used to find the starch present
in foods.
Nucleic Acids are long chains of RNA or DNA. Both RNA and DNA are called
nucleotides which include: a phosphate, sugar, and nitrogenous base. These are
essential and responsible for all the genetic makeup of all living organisms.
As the positive controls in our experiments we have: glucose for the sugar test, starch
and the potato for the starch test, vegetable oil for the lipids, and milk for protein. For
the unknown, I would say we will be able to know exactly what it is by the end of this
experiment and what category it belongs under.
Methods and Materials:
ITEM (Student Supplied) NEEDED
Bottle of Distilled Water 1
Egg 1
Boiling Water 1
Roll of paper towels 1
Dish Soap 1
Pencils/ Pen 1
Milk, 2% 1
Russet Potato, raw 1
Oven Mitt 1
Fork 1
Plastic Spoon 1
ITEM (HOL Supplied)
Filter Paper, Round 2
12 in Aluminum Foil 1
Well Plate 1
250 mL beaker 1
Cleaning Brush 1
Test Tube, 13x100mm 6
Safety gloves 2
Safety glasses 1
Graduated Cylinder, 10 mL 1
1 plastic cup 1
1 sharpie 1
Experiment bag 1
Pipets 8
Notebook 1
Testing for Sugars and Starches:
Lugol’s Iodine
Discussion/Conclusion:
In the test for reducing sugars, Albumin and Glucose tested positive. Both the Albumin
and glucose test tubes had brown, which is positive for sugar. The test that confused
me was the milk, because the milk has some sugar in it, so I figured it would’ve been
positive. I think the dH2O was the negative control because of common knowledge, we
know it does not contain sugar.
In the test for starch, the positive control was obviously starch. The negative control was
dH2O, because like I said before we know there isn’t starch in it. I knew from prior
knowledge, the potato would be very black, and the test did in fact prove that. All others
were negative, and so the unknown is not a starch either.
In the test for protein, our negative control was the dH 2O once again, because we know
it is only water. Our positive control was the milk, because we know it contains protein,
and the test proved that when it turned purple. The Albumin and unknown also turned
purple, so we know the Unknown is a protein.
In the test for lipids, the vegetable oil was obviously the positive control in this test. The
distilled water was yet again our negative control. The only test that showed positive
was the vegetable oil because it went outside of the circle lines.
The unknown is a protein. I cannot identify what it is, so, I was incorrect. I can tell if it
was a lipid, protein, sugar, or starch, but not exactly what it is.
Works Cited
Campbell, Neil A. Biology: Concepts and Connections. San Francisco, CA: Pearson
Education, 2005. Print
Hands-on Labs, Inc.42-0291-00-02. HandsOn Learning. Lab Paq. Web. 02 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.HOLscience.com/>