Monday, October 10, 2016

Egg Macromolecules Lab Conclusion

   By using different solutions to test for macromolecules in the egg cell, we found that we could identify the macromolecules in the egg. In the egg membrane, protein was abundant because after the protein test, the egg membrane scored a 10/10 for turning a dark purple color in the sodium hydroxide and the copper sulfate.  This shows that the macromolecule was present in the egg membrane because it uses the protein channels to let molecules in and out, as a "bouncer." In the egg white, we found that lipids, monosachharides, and proteins were all present, and equal with a score of 6. Lipids, which store energy, proved to be present after a sample turned from red to orange in a Sudan III solution. Monosaccharides, simple sugars, changed the egg white sample from a blue to a green and orange, after being mixed with the benedicts solution. The protein was apparent after the test sample turned from blue to purple. The yolk was low in the score of lipids and monosaccharides, because the yolk acts as the nucleus, where DNA is stored. The egg yolk proved to consist of mostly proteins with a score of 8, and polysaccharides with a score of 7. The data drawn from this experiment proves that the macromolecules in the egg cell can be identified.
   While our hypothesis was supported by our data, but possible errors in this experiment may have been due to overfilling the sample tests with the solutions, resulting in altered results. Also, the measurement of the ground up membrane seemed to be faulty, as the egg shell needed to be torn apart. The procedure didn't make it clear for how fine the membrane should be, so there were some gaps when they were placed in the test tube, which may have skewed the data.
   This procedure could be improved by specifying more measurements regarding both the samples of the egg cell and the solution to test the presence of the macromolecules. This lab was done to demonstrate the unique, yet necessary functions of different macromolecules in the cell. Previously in class, we learned about the different types of macromolecules, but this lab really showed where they are needed and why. From this lab, I learned that certain macrmoelcules are needed in certain parts of the cell, which helps me understand the concept that they have specialized functions.Based on my experience from this lab, I could make hypotheses in the future about microscopic cells and their macromolecules, after looking at an egg cell without magnification.







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