Macromolecule Testing Lab

In our macromolecule testing lab we discovered on how to test for certain macromolecules. We tested for lipids, protein, monosaccharides, and polysaccharides, however we did not test for nucleic acids.. To test for monosaccharides we used Benedict's solution and our food substance in a test tube, for polysaccharides we used iodine and our food substance in a test tube, for the proteins we used biurets solution and our food substance, and finally to test for lipids we smeared the paste on a paper bag. We first did a control test to make sure that the solutions worked and we were performing the test correctly. Then we decided to test a normal cracker and then a gluten-free cracker to examine the different substances in each of them. Our hypothesis was that both crackers would be very similar with minute differences in an area of two. Our results proved our hypothesis with the only different being that there was a trace of glucose in the normal crackers but none in the gluten free. I learned in this lab what the molecules are and do, what are examples of them, and how to successfully test for them.

Reflection- In our group project I feel I performed very strong in some areas but lacking somewhat in others. In the area of work ethic I held my weight and performed by testing the substances I was required to. I also excelled in the area of managing my group by proclaiming jobs for each of my different team members. However, I did have some areas that needed improvement. When it comes to time management, even though we all had strong work ethic we ran out of time to do the last test due to poor planning. Another crucial area of improvement for me was my commitment to my group members. While I had completed my portion of the testing lab, I did not to help my teammates as much as I would have desired to in a poor lapse of judgement for me.