Content: For this lab we learned about the 4 macro molecules
Carbohydrates
Provides energy for the Cell. Polysaccharides store sugars and transport proteins while monosaccharides such as Glucose are the source of energy.
Lipids
Are a major component of cell membranes and are used in cell signaling. The simplest lipids are fatty acids. They can be unsaturated or saturated. Fatty acids are stored in triaclycerols (3 fatty acids linked to one glycerol molecule). They are broken down to give energy and are more efficient than Carbohyrates. Another type of Lipid is a phospholipid. They are a component of the cell membrane.
Proteins
perform a variety of functions. They are a structural component of the cell, transport small molecules, transmit information, and defend against infection. Protein hormones, enzymes, and antibodies are proteins. Proteins are polymers made of 20 different amino acids.
Nucleic Acids
are the information molecules such as DNA and RNA. DNA is the genetic material located in the nucleus. It is made of two purines (adenine and guanine) and 2 pyrimidine (cytosine and thymine). The sugar base in DNA are made of deoxyribose sugars. RNA is a messenger and is used in protein synthesis. RNA has the same purines as DNA but its pyrimidines are cytosine and uracil. RNA's sugar base is ribose sugars. Nucleotides have one or more phosphate groups liked to nucleoside sugars. A phosphodiester bond forms the Nucleic acids. Oligonucleotides have only a few nucleotides while polynucleotides have a lot of nucleotides.
Reflection: Overall I am not pleased with the results of this lab. It had many variables my group did not address properly and therefore got unreliable results. We did work adequately as a team. That was a peak. My team was very supportive when I did not feel comfortable at some points in the lab. Part 3 went well. We got the results we wanted. It was also fun to do some chemistry. Cons were that we lost many of our samples due to spillage. In the future we need to be more careful. I would like to personally improve being comfortable during certain labs.