The Importance Of Macromolecules In The Human Body

It is very important that every human consumes food that contains the four main biological macromolecules: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acid. Macromolecules are vital because they help the body function on a daily basis from stimulating hormones, enough energy in the body to have movement and communication in the muscles, or structure for DNA and RNA. In each of the macromolecules, comprises of both Monomers (except lipids) that are small unit structures that form or associate with each other to build a Polymer chain. The Polymer can either assemble by dehydration synthesis (removal of a water molecule) or be dissembled through the process of hydrolysis (addition of water molecule). All humans should balance out variety of foods

to retain and store energy and digest foods into simple compounds such as: amino acids for proteins, fatty acids or glucose. These macromolecules are present with Oxygen, Hydrogen and Carbon; however Carbon is the main element for all living things because it can combine with other elements to form an organic compound. Certain foods and liquid items contain more than one of these macromolecules such as milk, yogurt, or oatmeal. The solutions (reagents) that are specified for each of the tests would be added to the food or liquid substance that can either produce reaction or not make a reaction occur. The indicators for each macromolecule are significant when trying to identify if there are any nutrients in food or liquid substances. “Your body uses carbohydrates as its main fuel source. Sugars and starches are broken down into simple sugars during digestion. They're then absorbed into your bloodstream, where they're known as blood sugar (blood glucose). From there, the glucose enters your body's cells with the help of insulin. Glucose is used by your body for energy, fueling all of your activities, whether it's going for a jog or simply breathing. Extra glucose is stored in your liver, muscles and other cells for later use or is converted to fat.” (Mayo Clinic Staff, Page 1) The two types of Carbohydrates are complex carbohydrates and simple carbohydrates; provides an instant energy to living things that contain hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen in them (determined by structure). During cell respiration, to release energy, foods and liquids such as milk and milk type products contain simple sugars such as glucose that are broken down by chemical reactions. Complex carbohydrates such as starch, is used for plants to store energy, which is a good source for humans. The reagent that is used to determine if there are simple carbohydrates in the substance is through Benedict’s Solution and for complex carbohydrates is Iodine Solution. The macromolecule, Lipid, contains a central component of cell membrane and stores energy for a long period of time. To exemplify, oils and fats, and items that do not associate with water, are all lipids. The reagent that is used to determine if there is lipids in the substance in through Sudan III stain. The fats in the body (mono-saturated, saturated or polyunsaturated) contribute more than the energy stored in the body does. In humans, mono-saturated and saturated fats do not need to be part of the diet because humans can produce or synthesize it. However, for polyunsaturated fatty acids, humans are not able to produce it in their bodies and it is essential that humans consume foods that have polyunsaturated fatty acids, because it helps the body function on a daily basis. “Polyunsaturated fats can help reduce bad cholesterol levels in your blood which can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. They also provide nutrients to help develop and maintain your body’s cells.

Oils rich in polyunsaturated fats also contribute vitamin E to the diet, an antioxidant vitamin most Americans need more of.” (SEP Staff (Chemistry of life lesson), Page 1) Although Complex Carbohydrates and Lipids are vital towards strong energy for the body, Proteins in foods such as eggs and meat play a vital role in the living organisms in the body because they are the building blocks for the functional processes. The complex protein molecule contains 20 different type monomers of amino acids that from the polymer (triglyceride). “Structural proteins such as collagen or elastin provide support. Regulatory proteins such as enzymes control cell processes. Proteins also play an important part in the immune system (antibodies), oxygen transport (hemoglobin), movement (muscles) etc. (American Heart Association, Page 1). The reagent that determines if there are any proteins in the substance is Biuret’s Reagent Solution. The objective of this experiment is to determine which macromolecule (or more than one macromolecule) is present in the food or liquid substance and to have an opportunity to understand the variety of food or liquid substances humans should consume or drink on a daily basis to help their body function

properly.
B. Purpose of the Experiment:
• The purpose of the lab is able to have an opportunity to chemically test the experiment through the usage of the specific reagents for each of the tests to indicate the presence of: lipids, proteins, simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates in the type of food and liquid.
C. Variables:
1. Independent variable:
The independent variable in this experiment is the adding of each reagent to the specific food or liquid substance.
2. Dependent variable:
The dependent variable in this experiment is if there are changes in color due to the addition of the specific reagents per test in each type of food or liquid.
3. Constants:
The factors that were purposely kept the same are:
• Exact amount of each food or liquid (5mL) transferred into each test tube.

• Exact amount of solution of the reagents (Benedict’s Solution, Sudan III Stain, Iodine and Biuret Reagent) for the specific tests (Simple Carbohydrates, Lipid, Complex Carbohydrates and Protein) was transferred into each of the test tubes.

• The size of the test tubes was constant.

• The room temperature was constant.

• The number of trials for each test was constant.

4. Control:

• The control group in this experiment was the distilled water.

1. Question: What do I want to find out?

• Which of the three food (or liquid) substances: milk, yogurt or oatmeal would help the Food and Drug Administration Center figure out the best food fight solution to stop the zombie growth population from invading the world?

2. Hypothesis:

• If the indicators for each macromolecule test determines which one of the three substances: milk, yogurt and oatmeal contains the most amount of proteins and complex carbohydrates and no simple carbohydrates that will stop the invasion of the zombies, then oatmeal will be the solution to the invasion because milk and yogurt contain a major simple carbohydrate: glucose and oatmeal is high in protein and complex

carbohydrates.