Macromolecules
For this unit, we studied the four macromolecules, monosaccharides, protein, lipids, and nucleic acids. We learned about these macromolecules and then we did a lab in which we brought in foods from home and tested to see what macromolecules where present in our everyday foods. We also did work and projects observing how water is taken out during reactions with these macromolecules, studying their jobs and chemical makeups.
The foods for our lab were Cheetos and pistachio nuts. We found in our experiments that Cheetos have 3 macromolecules including, monosaccharides, starch, proteins, and lipids, while the pistachios only had monosaccharides and protein. Shown below is the final lab write-up:
What each macromolecule does and example of them:
Monosaccharides: Glucose, Starch (Sugar)
Provide and help store energy for our body and cells.
Protein: Amino Acids
Helps build muscle
Regulates chemical reaction
Responsible for transportation around the cell
Many more processes
Lipids: Fatty acids (Glycerol)
Help build the cell membrane
Helps to store energy for the body
Nucleic Acids: DNA, RNA
Provide genetic information for making proteins
Two things I did well in the project where that I was a good communicator and conscientious learner. A way I was a good communicator this project was during the lab. During the lab, it involved multiple steps of mixing certain chemicals and our foods and it took lots of communicating and synchronization to correctly mix chemicals and time our experiments. I exemplified this by communicating often with my lab partners and making sure everyone was on the same page when it came to our four various experiments. A way I was a good conscientious learner this unit was that I took extra steps to understand the material and grasp the knowledge of macromolecules, monomers, and their jobs in the body and cells. This included asking in class questions to classmates and teachers and out of school studying.
Two things I didn't do well this project were always being on task and being too fast to finish which includes cutting corners and overlooking small details. Throughout this project there were times where I was distracted, off task, or just not focusing on the experiments at hand. At other times in the project we cut small corners or ignored small details like for how long dripping the watered Cheeto on the paper bag to observe the translucency for lipids. Other examples included not being sure how dark an indicator needed to be turned to know if a macromolecule was present.