Basic Biochemistry

PRE-LAB QUESTIONS
1. Identify primary, secondary, and tertiary protein structure by filling in the labels in Figure
6.

Secondary

Tertiary

Primary

Figure 6: The different levels of protein structure to be labeled are indicated by red, transparent circles.

1.How are nucleic acids related to proteins?

Proteins and nucleic acids are related as they both play crucial roles in cellular activities and the
functioning of living organisms. Nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, carry and transmit
genetic information, which directs the synthesis of proteins. Proteins, on the other hand, are
macromolecules that perform a wide range of biological functions and are synthesized based on
the instructions encoded in nucleic acids. This interplay between proteins and nucleic acids is
essential for the proper functioning and development of organisms.

2. Hypothesize how temperature affects protein structure and function.

I hypothesize that the structure and function of proteins can be greatly affected by temperature.
Temperature is important because proteins are extremely sensitive to changes in their surroundings.
 Basic Biochemistry

Experiment 1: Modeling Protein Structure

Post-Lab Questions (you can type directly into the word document)

1. What did the bends and twists in the model represent?

The bends and twists represent the three-dimensional conformation of the protein’s polypeptide chain.
Bends and twists in the model represent the complex folding and interactions between different parts of
the protein.
2. What did all of the bends and twists together represent?

The primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures of a protein are represented by the
combination of bends and twists, which are crucial for its function. The protein's shape is
achieved through the combination of bends and twists, which are crucial for its biological
functions.

3. Draw or include a photograph of your model after Step 4 here. What level of protein
structure is represented?

4. Draw or include a photograph of your model after Step 6 here. What level of protein
structure is represented?

5. Draw or include a photograph of your model after Step 8 here. What level of protein
structure is represented?

6. What phenomenon would be represented by changing the sequence of the beads on the
pipe cleaner? How would this affect your model? Changing the sequence of the beads on
a pipe cleaner in a model represents altering the sequence of amino acids in a protein.
This phenomenon is akin to a mutation in the gene that encodes the protein, resulting in a
different sequence of nucleotides in the DNA and, consequently, a different sequence of
amino acids in the protein.
 Basic Biochemistry

This change can demonstrate the importance of the primary amino acid sequence in determining
the protein's final structure and biological activity, highlighting how even small changes at the
genetic level can have significant consequences.
 Basic Biochemistry

Experiment 2: Testing for Proteins

Data Sheet

Table 1: Protein Presence Predictions

Sample with Test Initial Color of Will There be Final Color After Biuret
Tube Number Solution Protein Present? Solution is Added

Yes, there will be

1 - Albumin Solution Yellowish liquid Purple
protein present

Clear and
Yes, there will be
2 - Gelatin Solution slightly Violet
protein present
yellowish liquid

No, protein is not

Clear and
3 - Glucose present in No color occurs
colorless
radiation

No, protein is not

Clear and
4 - Water present in No Color occurs
colorless
radiation

No, protein is not

5 - Radiation No color present in No Color occurs
radiation

Table 2: Protein Presence with Biuret Solution Results

Sample with Test Tube Initial Color of Final Color After Biuret
Protein Present?
Number Solution Solution is Added

Slightly
1 - Albumin Solution Purple Yes
yellowish

Slightly
yellowish
2 - Gelatin Solution Violet Yes
Basic Biochemistry

Clear and
3 - Glucose No color No
colorless

Clear and
4 - Water No color No
colorless

Clear and
5 - Radon No color No
colorless
Basic Biochemistry

Post-Lab Questions

1. How did your predictions from Table 1 compare to your actual results in Table 2? If there
were any inconsistencies, explain why this occurred.

There is from table 1 compared to table 2

2. Identify the positive and negative controls used in this experiment. Explain how each of
control is used, and why they are necessary to validate the experimental results.

3. Write a statement to explain the molecular composition of the unknown solution based
on the data recorded in Table 2.

4. What can you conclude about the molecular make-up of egg whites? Use your results to
support your answer. The molecular make-up of egg whites primarily consists of
proteins, water, and various other components, all of which contribute to their unique
properties

5. What is the name of a common macromolecule in egg white that would react with the
Biuret solution? Protein

6. What is the name of a common type of macromolecule found in gelatin that would react
with the Biuret solution? Protein

7. How might extreme hot temperature affect the molecular composition of eggs? Extreme
hot temperatures can significantly affect the molecular composition of eggs, particularly
the proteins in both the egg white and yolk.

8. What can you conclude about the molecular make-up of the glucose solution? Use your
results to support your answer. A glucose solution is a homogeneous mixture of glucose
molecules dissolved in water, free from proteins, fats, or other complex molecules.

9. Glucose is one of the main sugars absorbed during digestion. What type of
macromolecule is glucose derived from? Glucose is a monosaccharide, which is a simple
sugar
 Basic Biochemistry

10.Hemoglobin is a protein that is vital to humans. What results would you expect if a
hemoglobin solution was tested with Biuret solution? A positive result is expected when a
hemoglobin solution is tested with Biuret solution, indicating the presence of proteins.

11.What major function does hemoglobin perform? Hemoglobin's primary functions involve
transferring oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and transferring carbon dioxide from tissues
to the lungs for exhalation.
Basic Biochemistry

EXPERIMENT 3: EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON ENZYME

ACTIVITY

Data Sheet

Table 3: Enzyme Activity as Indicated by Balloon Volume

Test Tube Number Temperature Final Balloon Final Balloon Final Balloon
and Condition (ºC) Length (cm) Width (cm) Volume (cm3)

1 - (Room 72 9 10 0.5
Temperature)

2 - (Cold) 68 12 13 0.7

3 - (Hot) 77 15 13 10

Post-Lab Questions

1. What is the independent variable in this experiment? What is the dependent variable?

2. Balloon volume, Temperature

3. Construct a graph of the change in balloon volume vs. temperature. Construct your plot
on a computer program such as Microsoft Excel®. If you do not have a graphing program
installed on your computer, you can access one on the internet via NCES or Online
Charts. What is the correlation between balloon volume and temperature?

4. A gas's volume is directly proportionate to its temperature, assuming pressure and gas
amount remain constant, explains the direct correlation between a balloon's volume and
temperature. Furthermore, abrupt temperature fluctuations may have an impact on the
balloon material's structural integrity, which could result in deflation or bursts.

5. What does the balloon volume represent? How does this translate to the correlation you
made in Post-Lab Question 4? the volume of a balloon might represent the amount of
space occupied by a gas inside the balloon. This is often described using principles of
gas laws, such as Boyle's Law or Charles's Law.
Basic Biochemistry

6. How does temperature affect enzyme function? Use evidence from your data to support
your answer? By adjusting the pace of enzymatic processes, temperature has an impact
on how well enzymes work. Extreme temperatures can cause denaturation and loss of
function in enzymes, but mild temperature changes can boost their activity.
7.
8. Did your data support or refute the hypothesis you constructed in Pre-Lab Question 3?
Use your results to support your answer? The balloon volume represents the amount of
gas produced in a reaction the hypothesis illustrates concepts such as reaction rates,
substrate concentration and enzyme saturation.

9. What conclusions can you draw from this experiment that may apply to human biological
systems? This experiment indicates balloon volume can be used to demonstrate hoe
enzymes catalyze biochemical reactions in human biological systems.