The Chemistry of Life

PRE-LAB QUESTIONS
1. Nitrogen fixation is a natural process by which inert or unreactive forms of nitrogen are

transformed into usable nitrogen. Why is this process important to life?

2. Given what you have learned about the hydrogen bonding shared between nucleic acids

in DNA, which pair is more stable under increasing heat: adenine and thymine, or cytosine

and guanine? Explain why.

3. Which of the following is not an organic molecule: methane (CH4), fructose (C6H12O6),

rosane (C20H36), or ammonia (NH3)? How do you know?

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The Chemistry of Life

EXPERIMENT 1: TESTING FOR PROTEINS

Data Tables

Table 1: Testing for Proteins Results

Sample Initial Color Final Color Is Protein Present?

1. Albumin Solution

2. Gelatin Solution

3. Glucose

4. Water

5. Unknown

Post-Lab Questions

1. Record your hypothesis about what will happen when Biuret solution is mixed with the

solutions from test tubes 1, 2, 3, and 4 here. Be sure to use scientific reasoning to support

your hypothesis.

2. Write a statement to explain the molecular composition of the unknown solution based on

the results obtained during testing with the Biuret solution and each sample solution.

3. Diet and nutrition are closely linked to the study of biomolecules. How should you monitor

your food intake to ensure the cells in your body have the materials necessary to function?

4. There are other types of reagents used to determine what type of biomolecule a substance

is. For example, copper ions present in Benedict’s reagent reacts with the free end of any

reducing sugars, such as glucose, when heated. Originally blue in color, these copper ions

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The Chemistry of Life

are reduced by the sugar, and produce an orange-red colored precipitate. Alternatively,

iodine-potassium iodide (IKI) may also be used when working with starch. IKI contains

special tri-iodine ions which interact with the coiled structure of a starch polymer. Prior to

a reaction, the IKI displays a yellow-brown color; however, after reacting with starch, a

dark purple or black color is presented.

5. The molecule pictured below produced a blue color when tested with Benedict’s reagent,

a yellow color when tested with IKI, and a violet color when tested with Biuret reagent.

Based on the structure shown below and these chemical results, what kind of biomolecule

is this?

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