Test for the Presence of Macromolecules
Test for the Presence of Macromolecules
Introduction
In this experiment, we are trying to identify the presence of macromolecules in certain solutions. As in our daily lives, macromolecules are the essential nutrients that we have to take every day, therefore we would like to identify the types of macromolecules that contain in some of the food or solution in order to maintain a healthy life.
There are four groups of macromolecules which are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acid. They are mostly made up of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus.
1. Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are organic compounds that with the combination of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio. Carbohydrates can be separated into three groups, monosaccharide, disaccharides and polysaccharides. Monosaccharide is the monomer of carbohydrates which contain hydroxyl group, such as glucose and fructose. Disaccharides are sugars that contain either aldehydes or ketone that react with hydroxyl group, such as maltose and lactose. Polysaccharides are the long chains of monosaccharide, which is called the polymer of carbohydrates. Monosaccharide and disaccharides can be tested by the Benedict’s test, as they are reducing sugars. Polysaccharides such as starch and glycogen can be tested by the iodine test. Also, carbohydrates are consumed to provide energy to our body and they are useful in metabolism. Therefore, it is one of the essential macromolecule that we have to consume.
2. Lipids
Lipids are made up of a glycerol molecule and three fatty acid molecules. They act as the energy source of human and they made up the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane. They can be simply divided into two groups, unsaturated and saturated fat. The only difference between saturated and unsaturated fat in structure is unsaturated fat has a double bond but saturated fat do not. Although some of the lipids can be made by biosynthetic pathway,
Introduction
In this experiment, we are trying to identify the presence of macromolecules in certain solutions. As in our daily lives, macromolecules are the essential nutrients that we have to take every day, therefore we would like to identify the types of macromolecules that contain in some of the food or solution in order to maintain a healthy life.
There are four groups of macromolecules which are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acid. They are mostly made up of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus.
1. Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are organic compounds that with the combination of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in a 1:2:1 ratio. Carbohydrates can be separated into three groups, monosaccharide, disaccharides and polysaccharides. Monosaccharide is the monomer of carbohydrates which contain hydroxyl group, such as glucose and fructose. Disaccharides are sugars that contain either aldehydes or ketone that react with hydroxyl group, such as maltose and lactose. Polysaccharides are the long chains of monosaccharide, which is called the polymer of carbohydrates. Monosaccharide and disaccharides can be tested by the Benedict’s test, as they are reducing sugars. Polysaccharides such as starch and glycogen can be tested by the iodine test. Also, carbohydrates are consumed to provide energy to our body and they are useful in metabolism. Therefore, it is one of the essential macromolecule that we have to consume.
2. Lipids
Lipids are made up of a glycerol molecule and three fatty acid molecules. They act as the energy source of human and they made up the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane. They can be simply divided into two groups, unsaturated and saturated fat. The only difference between saturated and unsaturated fat in structure is unsaturated fat has a double bond but saturated fat do not. Although some of the lipids can be made by biosynthetic pathway,