Identifying Macromolecules Lab Report

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UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO Classifying Macromolecules With the use of Iodine, Benedict’s and Biuret tests Student ID: 20590465 Chae-Woon (Amy) Hwang Partners: Russell and Cindy Jeong BIO130L Teaching Assistants: Katarina Vuckovic & Monica Gromala Section: 003 9/16/2014 Identifying macromolecules using different tests Introduction: The objective of this lab is to determine the unknown macromolecule given by using three different tests such as the iodine test, benedict’s test and biuret test. It is possible to observe what kind of macromolecule the unknown substance is by analyzing the different colour changes and the positive and negative results when the molecule reacts with the different tests. Macromolecules are the backbone …show more content…

There are two types of synthetic polymers which are called condensation and addition polymers. The condensation polymers result when there is a reaction between two poly functional molecules which gets rid off a small molecule. For example, the polyester Dacron is a synthetic condensation polymer. Addition polymers on the other hand are formed in a domino effect including monomers with double bonds. Once the polymers are formed they tend to take on a linear shape or a star/comb like shape and then they are classified as linear and branched polymers. There are four major biological macromolecules which are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Carbohydrates are sugar molecules that are made from C, H and O in a 1:2:1 ratio. Monosaccharides and disaccharides are carbohydrates divided into simple sugars while polysaccharides are carbohydrates that are divided into complex sugars such as starch. Lipids are substances like fat and phospholipids are important components of all living creatures. They are hydrophobic and thus it is difficult to break down to form energy. Biological polymers are made of amino acids, nucleotides and sugars. A significant biological polymer …show more content…

Identification of Some Macromolecules pg. 17 BIO130L Fall 2014 Results Table #1: Iodine, Benedict’s and Biuret Test Beaker # Iodine Test Benedict’s Test Biuret Test Positive or Negative

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