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Biochemistry: WebQuest
The Chemistry of Life
Go to: http://www.biocab.org/Biology.html#anchor_26
Read the chemistry of life section. You may have to scroll up or down a bit to reach it!
1. How many naturally occurring elements are there?
There are 92 naturally occurring elements.
2. About how many of these elements are found in living matter?
25 of these 92 elements are found in living matter.
3. Which 4 are present in 97% of the molecules of living matter?
1) Oxygen 2) Carbon 3) Hydrogen 4) Nitrogen
4. What are the main elements in the remaining 3%?
The main elements in the remaining 3% are Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, and Sulfur.
5. Define an organic molecule.
An organic molecule is a molecule in which structure contains carbon.
6. Name the 4 main organic molecules?
1) Carbohydrates 2) Lipids 3) Proteins 4) Nucleic Acids
Organic Molecules lab
Go to: http://www.okc.cc.ok.us/biologylabs/ Click on Organic Molecules
Click on Carbohydrates
Look at the example of a carbohydrate; a monosaccharide (simple sugar).
1. What 3 elements make up this molecule? 1) Hydrogen 2) Carbon 3) Oxygen
2. Count the number of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. What is the ratio of H to O atoms?
There are 12 hydrogen’s and 6 oxygen’s, therefore for every 1 oxygen there are two hydrogen’s
Do the experiment
3.Which color is the positive test for a simple sugar (a carbohydrate) when heated with Benedict’s reagent?
Light brown (cloudy)/Orange
4. Which color is the positive test for starch (a larger carbohydrate)?
Dark Brown- Coca cola Colour.
Click on continue or on organic molecules. Then click on Proteins.
5. Observe the portion of the protein molecule. What are the main elements (R is not an element, it represents
a side chain!)?
The main elements of the protein particles are Nitrogen, Hydrogen and Oxygen.
Do the experiment.
6. What is a positive test for protein using biuret reagent?
Click on continue or on organic molecules. Then click on Fats (lipids).
7. Observe the fat (lipid) molecule. What elements make up this molecule?
In the fates and lipid molecule Hydrogen, Carbon and Oxygen are the elements that make up this molecule.
8. Is the ratio of Hydrogen atoms to Oxygen atoms the same as in the carbohydrate? Yes or No
The ratio is 109 hydrogen to 6 oxygen atoms, Which is not the same as The carbohydrates.
Do the experiment.
9. What color appeared when vegetable oil fat (lipid) was mixed with the Sudan IV?
The colour appeared is clear at the bottom but at the top is a bright red/ orange.
Click on continue then click on Foods
Test the salmon – circle the correct answer
10. Simple Sugar – yes or no, Starch – yes or no, Protein – yes or no, Fat – yes or no
Test the milk – circle the correct answer
11. Simple Sugar – yes or no, Starch – yes or no, Protein – yes or no, Fat – yes or no
Protein Structure Animation
Go to http://www.stolaf.edu/people/giannini/flashanimat/proteins/protein%20structure.swf
This animation represents a protein molecule. View the animation and answer the questions
1. A protein is made up of a chain of Almino Acids.
2. After viewing the animation do you think the shape of a protein molecule is complex? Circle one: Yes or
No
Explain:
I think that the Shape of a protein molecule is complex because it has side chains and is made up of four
diffrent elements, the structure of the molecule is also very complex to me.
3. 3. Which of the following occurs to form a protein? (circle the correct answer)
A) forms a chain of amino acids
B) forms a spiral (helix)
C) folds on itself (bends)
D) More than one chain joins together
E) all of these
Enzymes
Go to http://science.howstuffworks.com/cell2.htm
Read the text and answer the following questions
1. What is the purpose of enzymes?
The purpose of enzymes are too create chemical reactions, the enzyme is located in the cell, and the cell is
basically a bag full of chemical reactions, which are created by the enzymes.
2. What type of organic molecules (carbohydrate, lipid, protein, nucleic acid) are most enzymes?
Proteins are the organic molecules which are most enzymes.
3. What does the shape of an enzyme have to do with how well the enzyme works?
The shape of an enzyme is very important because, for example, the shape of a maltase enzyme is shaped in
a way that it can break the bond and free the two glucose pieces.
Scroll down to the pink graphic.
4. What is the function of the active site on the enzyme?
The function of the active site on the enzyme is to break the bond between the glucose and the enzyme,
so that the glucose can float away.
5. In this example the maltase enzyme is speeding up what reaction? – Fill in the answers!
The breakup of the bond into two glucose molecules. The Maltose (a sugar) lands on the Active site of the
enzyme. The enzyme has to have a specific ? in order for the maltose to connect there.
Acids & Bases
Go to http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/erlinger/water/background/ph.html
View the first two sections of the page & answer the following questions
1. What is an acid & give 2 examples?
An acid is an ionic compound( a compound with a + or a - charge) that break apart in water to form a
hydrogen ion H+. Two examples of Acids are Oranges and Vinegar.
2. What is a base & give 2 examples?
A base is a ionic compound that breaks apart to form a negatively charged Hydroxide ion ( OH-) in water.
The pH Scale
Go to http://staff.jccc.net/pdecell/chemistry/phscale.html
View the page & answer the questions
1. Since atoms have charge and molecules are made of bonded atoms in a specific shape what can a high
concentration of positive Hydrogen ions (H+) do to the shape of a molecule?
2. Can changing their shape change their function (what they do)?
Give an example from what you learned about enzymes and their active site.
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3. What does the pH scale measure?
The Ph scale measures the concentration of hydrogen ions. The Ph scale is concentrating on the
concentration of hydrogen ions compared to distilled water.
4. A low pH corresponds to a high or low hydrogen ion (H+) concentration? Circle the correct answer.
5. A high pH corresponds to a high or low hydrogen (H+) concentration? Circle the correct answer.
6. What substance has a neutral pH of 7? Pure Water.
What is the pH of saliva? Ph- 6 Is that slightly acidic or basic? Slightly Acidic
What is the pH of the acid secreted by your stomach lining? Ph 1
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What is the pH of soapy water? Ph 12 Is soapy water a base or an acid? Basic _