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LAB: Building Macromolecules
Objective:
1. Students will build and understand the basic macromolecules. Macromolecules are formed by a
process known as polymerization, in which large compounds are built by joining smaller ones
together. The smaller units are called monomers, joined together to form polymers.
2. Students will understand the process of dehydration synthesis. Forming H2O Molecules in order
to chemically bond.
Carbohydrates: (Pink) (Labeled Glucose and Fructose)
Each member of the group will construct a glucose molecule on their own according to the drawing
provided. After each molecule is made, the group will come together and follow the instructions and
answer the questions regarding carbohydrates.
Monosaccharide’s (single molecules of sugar)
A single molecule of sugar is called a monosaccharide. The prefix “Mono” means one. However, the one
molecule can have different shapes due to a different arrangement of atoms. Two monosaccharide
examples are glucose, and fructose.
1. What are the main atoms that make up a carbohydrate? __________________________
2. Living things use carbohydrates as their main source of __________. Is this short or long term
storage?
3. Fill in the numbers for the simple glucose formula. Glucose C__ H__O__
4. Are the structures of glucose and fructose the same?
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Disaccharides: (Double molecules of sugars)
Two monosaccharide sugar molecules can join chemically to form a larger carbohydrate
molecule called a double sugar, or disaccharide. The prefix “di” means two. By chemically joining a
glucose molecule with a fructose molecule, a double sugar called sucrose is produced.
Use the paper models given to you to complete this section.
*Cut out a model of one glucose molecule, and one fructose molecule. Attempt to join the two
molecules like puzzle pieces.
PASTE HERE: (The O-H end of the fructose should be overlapped by the H of a glucose molecule.)
1. What is this new combination called? ____________________
2. The –H and –OH ends that were removed can also fit together with each other to form a
molecule. This new molecule has a simple formula of __________ and is called __________.
Disaccharides PART 2:
Different disaccharide molecules can be made by joining other monosaccharides in different
combinations. By chemically joining a glucose molecule with another glucose molecule, a double sugar
called maltose is formed.
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Cut out and attempt to join the two new glucose model molecules like puzzle pieces.
PASTE HERE:
1. What was removed in order for the two glucose molecules to easily fit together?________
2. What is this process called? ________________________
Polysaccharides:
Just as double sugars were formed from two single sugar molecules, polysaccharides are formed
when many single sugars are joined chemically. The prefix, “Poly” means many. Starch, Glycogen, and
Cellulose are the three most common polysaccharides in biology. They consist of long chains of glucose
molecules joined together.
*Construct a starch molecule by joining three glucose molecules. This model will represent only a small
part of a starch molecule because starch consists of hundreds of glucose molecules.
PASTE HERE:
1. When the levels of glucose in your blood stream run low, the polysaccharide Glycogen, is
released from what organ? _____________
2. The glycogen stored in your muscles supplies energy for what?
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3. Tough, Flexible Cellulose fibers give plants much of their _______ and ___________.
Lipids: (Gold Paper) (Labeled Glycerol, Butyric Acid, Lauric Acid, and Caproic Acid)
Each member of the group will construct the glycerol molecule and three fatty acids. Once these parts
are completed, the group will come together and answer the questions regarding lipids.
To better understand the chemistry of fats, it is helpful to study first the small molecules which
join to make up fats. Fat molecules are made up of two small “building blocks”, or chemical molecules.
These molecules are called glycerol and fatty acids.
1. What elements are present in glycerol?
2. What elements are present in the fatty acids?
*Cut out the glycerol and fatty acid paper model molecules. Construct a lipid molecule, using these
parts.
PASTE HERE:
1. What type of energy is a lipid, used for by the body?
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2. What are the three common categories of a lipid?
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3.
What is the difference between a saturated and unsaturated lipid? Give details in the carbon
bonds, and examples.
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Proteins (blue copies):
Each member of the group will construct a chain of four amino acids. After each amino acid is linked,
the students will come together and answer the questions regarding proteins.
Proteins: Are complex molecules made up of smaller molecules called amino acids. There are
about twenty different amino acids found in nature. The element nitrogen (N) is present in all amino
acids.
1. What are the four elements present in amino acids? ___________
Amino acids are not proteins molecules. They are only the “building blocks” of protein. Several amino
acids must be chemically joined in a chain to form a protein molecule. We can show how amino acids
join by using models.
*Cut out the four amino acids. Construct them in this order Valine—threonine—alanine---glycine.
PASTE HERE:
1. What chemical compound was formed when the four amino acids are joined?
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2. What is the difference between an amino acid molecule and a protein?
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