Adapted from Ms.

Buchalski

Biology Lab

Name _______________________________________________________________Date_____________

Macromolecule WEBQUEST: 40 pts

Directions:
The next chapter we will be learning about 4 different organic compounds found in our bodies called
Macromolecules. These compounds include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Today we will be using a
variety of resources to learn about each of the four organic compounds. Follow the directions carefully to make sure
that you complete each step of the webquest. If you have a question or a problem with the computer/website, please
ask for help!!

A. Carbohydrates!!
Go to the following website and read the article about carbohydrates. When you are done reading the article, answer
the questions below (You dont have to sign up, just X out of the pop up window)
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=590
1. What is the main purpose of carbohydrates in our bodies? (1 pt)
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2. What types of food can we eat to obtain carbohydrates? (1 pt)

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3. What are the 3 types of carbohydrates? Explain each one and give an example of food you can eat that contains each
type. (3 pts)
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4. Why can low-carb diets be harmful to your body? Explain. (2 pts)
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Adapted from Ms. Buchalski

Biology Lab

B. Lipids!
Part 1- Go to the following website to read about lipids and answer the following questions.
http://www.chem4kids.com/files/bio_lipids.html
5. What are lipids? What substances are considered to be lipids? (2 pts)
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6. What are steroids? What can they do to you? (2 pts)

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7. What is a triglyceride? What are the two parts that make up a triglyceride? (3 pts)
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Part 2- Watch the following video about Trans fats and answer the questions.
http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=157763
8. What are trans fats and how are they made? (2 pts)
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9. Why are trans fats bad for you? (2 pts)

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Adapted from Ms. Buchalski

Biology Lab

10. What are fast food companies doing to lessen the effects of trans fats? Where should you look for information on
the food you eat at fast food restaurants? (3 pts)
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C. Protein!
Go to the following website to read about protein and answer the following questions
http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/protein.html
11. What are proteins made up of? (1 pt)
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12. What is the difference between complete and incomplete proteins? Give an example of each. (2 pts)
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13. What is YOUR recommended daily allowance of protein based on the chart? (1 pt) ____________________________

D. Nucleic Acids!
Go to the following website. Read about nucleic acids and answer the questions.
http://www.chem4kids.com/files/bio_nucleicacids.html
14. What is the purpose of nucleic acids? (1 pt)
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15. Name the 2 major types of nucleic acids (1 pts) ________________________________________________________

16. What is the specific name for the building blocks of nucleic acids?(1 pt) ____________________________________

Adapted from Ms. Buchalski

Biology Lab

Macromolecule Virtual Lab ExperimentGo to the following website and follow the directions while answering the questions
http://faculty.kirkwood.edu/apeterk/learningobjects/biologylabs.htm
Step 1. Scroll to the bottom where you see where it says carbohydrates, proteins, lipids etc.
Step 2. You will be testing for sugars and starches under the first tab titled carbohydrates. Click on add benedicts
observe the color. Then click on hot water bath. Any substance that changed colors contains Glucose, a simple carb.
List those substances here (1 pt)
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Step 3. Go to the pull down menu on the top right that says test for sugars and change it to test for starches. Read
about starches. Click the add iodine button. List the substances that contain starch here (1 pt)
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Step 4. Click the Proteins tab. Read about proteins. Click the add biuret button. Record the substances that contain
protein here (1 pt) __________________________________________________________________________________
Step 5. Click the Lipids tab. Read about lipids. Click the add sudan III button. Record the substances that contain
lipids here (1 pt) ____________________________________________________________________________________
Step 6. Click the Everyday foods tab. Go through each test for each substance. Click next to where it says gelatin to
change substances. Which substances tested positive for each of the following (2 pts)
Carbohydrates______________________________________________________________________________
Lipids ______________________________________________________________________________________
Protein ____________________________________________________________________________________

Questions on Lab: (you may need to refer back to the information tabs for each macromolecule to answer the
following questions)
1. What does iodine test for? (1 pt) ____________________________
2. Give an example of a simple sugar. (1 pt) _____________________________
3. What is a polysaccharide? (1 pt) ___________________________________________________________________
4. What are the 2 functions of proteins? (2 pts)
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5. Which macromolecule DIDNT we test for in this lab? (1 pt) ________________________________________________