BIOL133 C002 Spring 2025
ESL Chemistry of Life
Final Report
Student Name
Student ID
Lesson ESL Chemistry of Life
Institution American Public University
Session 770395
Course BIOL133 C002 Spring 2025
Instructor
Exploration
Organic molecules can be identified by the presence of carbon-hydrogen bonds.
True
False
Which type of macromolecule is composed of amino acids?
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Lipids
Nucleic acids
Exercise 1
, 1. Describe the experimental protocol you developed and followed when
testing the unknown. Be sure to include your hypothesis.
To test the unknown solution, I first reviewed the results from known substances for
proteins, reducing sugars, and starch using standard biochemical tests (Biuret,
Benedict’s, and Iodine tests). Based on the nature of the unknowns (potato, albumin,
starch), I formed hypotheses for each test. For example, I hypothesized that albumin
would test positive for protein but negative for sugar and starch. I then applied the
appropriate reagent to each sample:
Biuret reagent to detect proteins
Benedict’s reagent to detect reducing sugars, and
Iodine solution to detect starch.
Each test was conducted with appropriate controls. After adding the reagents, I
observed and recorded color changes to determine the presence or absence of
each molecule.
2. Were your hypotheses confirmed by these experiments? If not, what did
you find most surprising about the results?
Most of my hypotheses were confirmed. For example, albumin tested positive for protein
and negative for sugar and starch, as expected. Water and starch served as accurate
negative controls. However, what surprised me was how clearly the potato tested
negative for protein and sugar but strongly positive for starch, reinforcing how specific
these tests are. This confirmed that potatoes are rich in starch but not necessarily in
protein or simple sugars.
ESL Chemistry of Life
Final Report
Student Name
Student ID
Lesson ESL Chemistry of Life
Institution American Public University
Session 770395
Course BIOL133 C002 Spring 2025
Instructor
Exploration
Organic molecules can be identified by the presence of carbon-hydrogen bonds.
True
False
Which type of macromolecule is composed of amino acids?
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Lipids
Nucleic acids
Exercise 1
, 1. Describe the experimental protocol you developed and followed when
testing the unknown. Be sure to include your hypothesis.
To test the unknown solution, I first reviewed the results from known substances for
proteins, reducing sugars, and starch using standard biochemical tests (Biuret,
Benedict’s, and Iodine tests). Based on the nature of the unknowns (potato, albumin,
starch), I formed hypotheses for each test. For example, I hypothesized that albumin
would test positive for protein but negative for sugar and starch. I then applied the
appropriate reagent to each sample:
Biuret reagent to detect proteins
Benedict’s reagent to detect reducing sugars, and
Iodine solution to detect starch.
Each test was conducted with appropriate controls. After adding the reagents, I
observed and recorded color changes to determine the presence or absence of
each molecule.
2. Were your hypotheses confirmed by these experiments? If not, what did
you find most surprising about the results?
Most of my hypotheses were confirmed. For example, albumin tested positive for protein
and negative for sugar and starch, as expected. Water and starch served as accurate
negative controls. However, what surprised me was how clearly the potato tested
negative for protein and sugar but strongly positive for starch, reinforcing how specific
these tests are. This confirmed that potatoes are rich in starch but not necessarily in
protein or simple sugars.
