a. Modeling Macromolecules

• Students will make and use paper models to perform dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis on carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Velcro is used to represent the bonds between atoms.

b. Macromolecules and Digestion

• Students will observe how digestive enzymes work to break down macromolecules during digestion. Lab groups also have the opportunity to test common food items of their choice for macromolecules. Both labs focus on the presence of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen in the structure of monosaccharides, amino acids, fatty acids, and nucleotides.

Items included in this lab are listed below.

Hydrion pH test strips, Toothpicks, Protein solution, Starch solution, Lipid solution, Protease solution, Amylase solution, Lipase solution, Biuret, Iodine Potassium Iodide, 0.1% Hydrochloric acid, Liquid soap.