Download Organic Molecule Marshmallow Lab

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Date:
Organic Molecule Marshmallow Lab
Problem: What elements are in organic molecules and how are the
molecules different?
Gathered Information: Organic molecules all contain carbon.
There are four different groups of organic molecules. Each group can
be identified by the elements that comprise it and the functional
groups that are present within it. The four groups of organic
molecules are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Each group is made of a basic building block:
Ex: Carbohydrates- monosaccharide (sugar)
Lipids- Glycerol and fatty acids
Proteins- Amino Acids
Nucleic Acids- Nucleotides
Each group also has a particular function in the body.
Ex: Carbohydrates- Quick Energy
Lipids- Stored Energy
Proteins- Build and repair, and control chemical reactions
Nucleic Acids- Blueprints for the body
Hypothesis: You will need to discover which elements are in organic
molecules and how each group is different. In the space below, write
which elements you expect to comprise of the four groups and which
functional groups you expect will be included in each group.
.
Procedure:
1. Work in pairs
2. Look up the structural formula on line or in your text book, get
out colored pencils.
3. Using the structural formula, draw and color the structural
formula for each molecule in the corresponding box provided
on the lab.
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4. Be sure each molecule looks like marshmallows and
toothpicks. Use the following key:
Green Marshmallows= Nitrogen
Pink Marshmallows= Oxygen
Yellow Marshmallows= Carbon
Orange Marshmallows= Hydrogen
Methane
Amino Group
Water
Carboxyl Group
Amino Acid: Serine
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Glucose
Fructose
Sucrose
(Combine Glucose & Fructose.
Be sure to remove 1 OH & 1 H)
Lipid
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Marshmallow Lab
1. Is methane an organic or inorganic molecule?
How do you know?
2. Is water organic or inorganic?
How do you know?
3. Name the two organic macromolecules to which a Carboxyl
group would be found.
4. An amino group is found in which type of organic
macromolecule?
5. The amino acid Serine is a building block of which type of
organic macromolecules?
6. How many different amino acids exist in life?
7. Which four elements are found in proteins?
8. What is the function of protein in our bodies?
9. To which type of macromolecule does glucose belong?
10.Is glucose a mono-, di-, or polysaccharide?
11.Is fructose a mono-, di, or polysaccharide?
12.What process is demonstrated when glucose and fructose are
combined to create sucrose?
13.What molecule needed to be removed in order to form a bond
between glucose and fructose?
14.Was energy stored or released during the process of combining
glucose and fructose?
15.Is sucrose a mono-, di-, or polysaccharide?
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16.What is the function of carbohydrates in our bodies?
17.What three molecules are combined to from lipids? (In other
words, what are the building blocks of lipids?)
18.When the three molecules bond together to form a lipid, what
process is taking place?
19.Does this process store or release energy?
20.What is the function of lipids in our bodies?