Biochemistry Lab 1 to 9 Reports – Portage Learning | Complete Study Guide &
Procedures
Lab 1: Fundamental Chemical Concepts
Purpose: To understand foundational chemistry principles essential for biochemistry,
including electronegativity, bond types, and the properties of water and macromolecules .
Key Concepts & Procedures:
Electronegativity & Molecular Polarity: This concept explains the unequal sharing
of electrons between atoms, creating a polar molecule with a slight positive and
negative end. This property is the basis for many biochemical interactions .
Hydrogen Bonds & Water Properties: Water is the medium of life. Key properties
to understand:
o Cohesion: Water molecules sticking to each other (creates surface tension).
o Adhesion: Water molecules sticking to other surfaces.
o High Heat Capacity: Water's ability to absorb large amounts of heat before
changing temperature, which stabilizes biological systems .
Final Results/Expected Understanding: Be able to explain how these chemical principles
create the unique environment for biological macromolecules to function.
Lab 2: Introduction to Organic Molecules
Purpose: To explore the structure and function of the four major classes of organic
macromolecules .
, Key Concepts & Procedures:
Polymers & Monomers: Understand that large molecules (polymers) are built from
repeating subunits (monomers) .
o Proteins: Monomers are amino acids; linked by peptide bonds to
form polypeptides .
o Lipids: Macromolecules that don't mix well with water (hydrophobic). Fats
can be saturated (solid at room temp) or unsaturated (liquid at room temp) .
o Nucleic Acids: Monomers are nucleotides; includes DNA and RNA .
Final Results/Expected Understanding: Be able to identify and describe the building
blocks and key properties of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.
Lab 3: Enzymes and Catalysis
Purpose: To demonstrate how enzymes function as biological catalysts to speed up
chemical reactions .
Key Concepts & Procedures:
Activation Energy: The energy required to start a reaction. Enzymes work by
lowering this energy barrier .
Enzyme Specificity: An enzyme's active site (the region where
the substrate attaches) is specific to its substrate. This is often described by the
"lock and key" or "induced fit" models .
Denaturation: Changes in the environment (temperature, pH) can alter the shape of
a protein, disrupting its active site and stopping its function .
Procedures
Lab 1: Fundamental Chemical Concepts
Purpose: To understand foundational chemistry principles essential for biochemistry,
including electronegativity, bond types, and the properties of water and macromolecules .
Key Concepts & Procedures:
Electronegativity & Molecular Polarity: This concept explains the unequal sharing
of electrons between atoms, creating a polar molecule with a slight positive and
negative end. This property is the basis for many biochemical interactions .
Hydrogen Bonds & Water Properties: Water is the medium of life. Key properties
to understand:
o Cohesion: Water molecules sticking to each other (creates surface tension).
o Adhesion: Water molecules sticking to other surfaces.
o High Heat Capacity: Water's ability to absorb large amounts of heat before
changing temperature, which stabilizes biological systems .
Final Results/Expected Understanding: Be able to explain how these chemical principles
create the unique environment for biological macromolecules to function.
Lab 2: Introduction to Organic Molecules
Purpose: To explore the structure and function of the four major classes of organic
macromolecules .
, Key Concepts & Procedures:
Polymers & Monomers: Understand that large molecules (polymers) are built from
repeating subunits (monomers) .
o Proteins: Monomers are amino acids; linked by peptide bonds to
form polypeptides .
o Lipids: Macromolecules that don't mix well with water (hydrophobic). Fats
can be saturated (solid at room temp) or unsaturated (liquid at room temp) .
o Nucleic Acids: Monomers are nucleotides; includes DNA and RNA .
Final Results/Expected Understanding: Be able to identify and describe the building
blocks and key properties of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids.
Lab 3: Enzymes and Catalysis
Purpose: To demonstrate how enzymes function as biological catalysts to speed up
chemical reactions .
Key Concepts & Procedures:
Activation Energy: The energy required to start a reaction. Enzymes work by
lowering this energy barrier .
Enzyme Specificity: An enzyme's active site (the region where
the substrate attaches) is specific to its substrate. This is often described by the
"lock and key" or "induced fit" models .
Denaturation: Changes in the environment (temperature, pH) can alter the shape of
a protein, disrupting its active site and stopping its function .
