Throughout the past two weeks we have been learning about macromolecules and their functions. In order to learn about macromolecules we did a murder in a meal lab, made charts, did a webquest and researched. When researching we worked in breakout rooms and had discussions as a class about the work we produced.

Evidence of Work

Murder In a Meal

For this project we had to analyze the meal of the victim who was murdered by one of three restaurants. The victim loved to eat at Old Chicago Pizza, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Biaggi's Restaurante Italiano. This lead us to believe that one of these restaurants murdered this person. After using indicator solutions and finding what macromolecules were in his stomach, we concluded that Biaggi's Restaurante Italiano killed the victim since there was no protein found in his autopsy, only carbs and lipids which are both found in his usual meal at the Biaggi's.

Content

• Macromolecules- molecules that are composed of thousands of atoms or more. They are made up of small singular units called monomers. A bunch of monomers make up a polymer. The 4 main macromolecules are proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids. They are important cellular components and each of their functions are necessary for the growth and survival of living organisms. Both projects were based off of these macromolecules. We created digital posters of them for the first macromolecule project, and for murder in a meal we used the information we knew about macromolecules and indicator solutions to find what restaurant murdered the guy.

• Indicator solutions- an indicator solution is a substance that changes color in response to a chemical change. It helps us figure out if there is a certain macromolecule in a food or drink. A different indicator solution corresponds to each macromolecule, so when you put the solution in foods or drinks they'll change colors. Certain colors show a positive result while others show a negative one. We used indicator solutions in our food lab we did (electronically) and we also used them in our murder in a meal project in order to find the murderer results. We looked at everything in the victim's stomach and used indicator solutions to see what he had eaten right before he died.

• Carbohydrates- Carbs are the sugars, starches and fibers found in fruits, bread, grains, etc. They're a source of energy for the body. We used carbs in every project we did about macromolecules. We researched them and also analyzed them in food.

• Proteins- Proteins are large molecules that our cells need to function properly. The structure and function of our bodies depend on proteins. They are essential to building muscle mass. We also used proteins in both projects. We got to learn about them and then analyze them in the murder in a meal project.

• Lipids- Lipids are fat-like substances found in your blood and body tissues. They make up the building blocks of the structure and function of living cells. They are an essential essential component of the cell membrane. Lipids were used in each project as well. We researched about them and checked the victim's stomach for them too.

• Nucleic acids- Nucleic acids are present in living cells, especially DNA or RNA. They work in the cell to store and express genetic information. We used nucleic acids in the murder in a meal project and the digital poster project. We created one poster just for nucleic acids, and then looked for them in the autopsy of the victim who was murdered.

• Monomer- a monomer is a single molecule and they make up polymers and macromolecules. In our first macromolecule project, we had to include the monomer of each macromolecule. protein: amino acid, carbohydrate: monosaccharide, lipid: fatty acid, and nucleic acid: nucleotide.

• Polymer- a polymer is a chain of monomers. We used polymers in our first project because we had to research the macromolecules and find the polymer of each and the info to our digital posters. protein: polypeptide, nucleic acid: DNA and RNA, lipid: phospholipid or lipid, and carbohydrate: polysaccharide.

Reflection

During this project I was able to use my critical thinking skills.I carefully looked at data and was able to discover information in the case study. I made sure that I had data and reasoning to back up my conclusion that the victims last meal was at the Italian restaurant. My critical thinking skills were able to grow especially in this project as I made sure to justify my answers. I also became a better conscientious learner. I made goals everyday on what I needed to accomplish for that day so I wouldn't fall behind when we were in breakout rooms. I was aware of the amount of time I had which means I had great time management skills. I feel like I was the one in the group to take initiative and guide the rest of my group mates because everyone was quite and we just needed a little push.

I think I could have done better at collaboration. In the second project, we worked with partners to complete the murder mystery. I think we could have communicated better, and this would have made our process go a little smoother. Another thing I could improve on was studying more and asking more questions in class. Overall, there weren't many negatives to the macromolecules unit and I thought it went well.