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Biomolecules Lab

Decent Essays

Introduction:
In this lab, we studied biomolecules. Biomolecules are molecules that are existent in all living organisms. The four biomolecules, we are learning in class are proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acid. The three biomolecules being addressed in the lab are proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. Biomolecules are organic molecules because they contain carbon and hydrogen, as organic molecules always contain carbon and hydrogen. Biomolecules are important because they make up our bodies entirely and are the reason our bodies continue to function. Proteins have many functions. They make up hair and nails, and collagen, which lend support to ligaments, tendons, and skin. Enzymes, another type of protein, speed chemical reactions …show more content…

For testing for complex sugars, take the well plate and put about 2-3 mL of the substance being tested for complex sugars in one of the holes using either a pipet or a small spoon (depending on the substance).
Add about 3-4 drops of the iodine solution in the well plate hole using a pipet.
Thoroughly stir the iodine in with the substance using a toothpick.
Continue these steps for testing the next substances for complex sugars.
For testing for proteins, take the well plate.
Put about 2-3 mL in of the substance being tested for proteins in one of the holes using either a pipet or a small spoon (depending on the substance).
Drop about 2 mL of Biuret reagent in the well plate hole using a pipet.
Thoroughly stir the Biuret reagent in with the substance using a toothpick.
Continue these steps for testing the next substances for containing proteins.
For testing for lipids, take a piece of brown paper and put the substance being tested for lipids on it.
Let the substance sit for a moment and then hold it up to a light source to see if it has left a translucent spot.
Continue these steps for testing the next substances for containing lipids.

Data …show more content…

An error that occurred that came up in the class’s results was that when egg whites were tested for lipid, it came up slightly positive. This is due to human error. When separating the egg whites from the egg yolk, the egg yolk was accidentally dropped into the egg whites. Due to the fact that an egg yolk is a lipid, it caused for cross contamination between the egg whites and the egg yolk. Therefore, the egg whites come up slightly positive when testing for lipids and was clearly a human error. A way to improve these results would have been to not let the potato water sit for as long as it did and to be more careful when separating the egg whites from the egg yolk. One could do so by gently cracking the egg into a bowl and use a pipet to suck up only the egg whites. One concept I learned was the difference between simple sugars and complex sugars. How simple sugars are unattached monosaccharides and polysaccharides are attached monosaccharides. I had known that carbohydrates were in many things, but I did not know the different types, why some tasted differently, and why some supplied me with energy for a longer period of time. For example, how monosaccharides taste sweet and polysaccharides do not. Now I also know what to eat if I am looking for a long lasting energy source. In

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