Part 5. Solvents, solutions, and conductivity Materials
Conductivity meter/probe
Beakers, 250 mL
Four stir rods
Solvent: deionized water
Solutes:
Sucrose (nonpolar covalent)
Sodium chloride (ionic)
Citric acid (polar covalent)
Gelatin or milk (suspension/colloidal mixture)
Procedure
1. Set up four identical beakers with 100ml deionized water in each. The water is the solvent.
2. Using the conductivity meter, test the conductivity of the deionized water. Record your observations in the Student Data Table.
3. Record observations about each solute before adding to water:
Beaker 1 — nonpolar covalent: Using a glass stir rod, slowly stir in the contents of two packets of sugar. Observe the resulting solution. Test the conductivity. Record observations and measurement in #3 and #4 of the Student Data Table.
Beaker 2 — ionic: Using a glass stir rod, slowly stir in the contents from two packets of salt. Observe the resulting solution. Test the conductivity. Record observations and measurement in #3 and #4 of the Student Data Table.
Beaker 3 — polar covalent: Using a glass stir rod, stir as the lemon is squeezed into the water. Observe the resulting solution. Test the conductivity. Record observations and measurement in #3 and #4 of the Student Data Table.
Beaker 4 — suspensions/colloids: Using a glass stir rod, slowly stir in the contents from one gelatin packet. Observe the resulting solution. Test the conductivity. Record observations and measurement in #3 and #4 of the Student Data Table.
Extension activity
1. Discuss the relevancy of ionic and covalent bonds to the suitability of water as a medium for living systems.
Part 6. pH of water and common solutions Materials
pH meter/probe or pH paper
Beakers or test tubes
Stir rods
Five liquids
Deionized water
Vinegar
Ammonia
Citric acid (lemon juice, freshly squeezed)
Milk
Water samples taken from various sources (e.g., tap, well, pond, stream, lake)
Procedure
1. Set up five identical beakers or test tubes, each containing 100ml of one of the five liquids.
2. Using the pH meter/probe or pH paper, test the pH of the deionized water. Record your observations in the Student Data Table. Then, test the pH of the other four liquids, and record your observations.
3. Repeat for water samples taken from other sources.
Extension activity
1. What is the difference between hydrogen ions and hydroxonium ions?
References on pH: tables and definitions
http://www.mpcfaculty.net/mark_bishop/pH_equilibrium.htm
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/ph-25_483.html
http://www.albion.edu/chemistry/CH121/pHvalues.htm
The Physical & Chemical Properties of Water
Student Data Table
Parts 1 & 2. Specific heat and heat of fusion of water
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Specific Heat
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Definition:
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Equation:
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Specific heat of water:
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Is water unique? ____ How?
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Heat of Fusion
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Definition:
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Equation (heat of fusion measurement):
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Heat of fusion of water:
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Is water unique? ____ How?
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Capillary Action
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Definition:
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Observe and describe capillary action, using different sizes of straws.
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How does capillary action work in nature?
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Is water unique? ____ How? (Design a way to test this, using soap.)
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Part 4. Heating and cooling rates
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Which cools (or heats) faster, sand or water?
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Graph the rate of cooling or heating for equal masses of sand and water.
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Conclusions:
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How is water different from sand?
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Part 5. Solvents, solutions, and conductivity
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Can water be used as a solvent?
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Physical appearance of solutes before mixing with water:
sugar:
salt:
lemon juice:
gelatin:
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Physical appearance of solutions after mixing with water:
sugar:
salt:
lemon juice:
gelatin:
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Is water unique as a solvent? ____ How?
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Can water be used as a conductor of electricity?
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Conductivity of deionized water:
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Conductivity of solution:
sugar:
salt:
lemon juice:
gelatin:
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Does water have conductive properties?
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Part 6. pH of water and common solutions
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Liquid
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Estimated pH
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Actual pH
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Deionized water
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Vinegar
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Ammonia
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|
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Citric acid (freshly squeezed lemon juice)
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Milk
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Water taken from various sources (e.g., tap, well, pond, stream, lake)
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Macromolecules
Organizing Topic Investigating Biochemistry
Overview Students examine the structure of each of the four major types of biological molecules and investigate ways the structure influences its behavior and function in living systems.
Related Standards of Learning BIO.3b, c
Objectives
The students will
list the six elements that are the main components of a living cell: carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur;
explain carbon’s atomic structure and its role in forming the macromolecules of life, and provide examples of compounds;
recognize that cells can make a variety of macromolecules from a relatively small set of monomers;
identify and describe the following macromolecules and their structures:
Carbohydrates provide and store energy.
Lipids insulate, store energy, and make up cell membranes.
Proteins may be structural or may function in transport, movement, defense, or cell regulation.
Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) control cell activities by directing protein synthesis.
give examples of each specific protein function;
recognize the following:
Proteins are polymers made by linking together amino acid monomers.
A protein’s structure depends on its specific conformation.
generalize the structure and function of enzymes, including their
definite three-dimensional shape, which allows binding with a substrate
ability to control the rate of metabolic reactions by acting as catalysts;
understand that pH and temperature are important to cell functioning because
most organisms can tolerate small changes in pH;
most cells function best within a narrow range of temperature and pH;
at very low temperatures, reaction rates are too slow;
high temperatures or extremes of pH can change the structure of proteins and consequently their function.
Materials needed
Copies of the attached student activity sheet
Materials listed on the activity sheet (optional)
Instructional activity Content/Teacher Notes
This is a “big topic.” Covering the material needed to understand this topic fully will require several days and, perhaps, several laboratory sessions; thus, this lesson has been subdivided into four parts.
Students need to study molecular structures to be familiar with each monomer molecule. They should understand that the presence of carbon is the basis for all the structures. They should appreciate the intricate complexity of the polymeric molecules and understand why they are called “macromolecules.” Based on the middle and high school Science SOL, students should have an understanding of the atomic models and bonding. Nevertheless, students may need refreshers on these topics as well as an introduction to Lewis models.
Introduction
1. Introduce macromolecules with the aid of a sandwich or pizza. On the board, write the different types of food found in a typical sandwich (e.g., bread, meat, vegetables, condiments).
2. Ask students to brainstorm what each of these foods does for the body. List their responses.
3. Then, write the four macromolecules on the board, and ask students which part of the sandwich fits in the different categories. Students should be able to categorize all components of the sandwich except, perhaps, the vegetables.
Procedure
(Have the students follow the instructions on the student activity sheet.)
Observations and Conclusions
(See student activity sheet.)
Sample assessment
Use the student activity sheet for assessment. The answer key follows:
Part 1, Table 1
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Type of Macromolecule
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Elements
(C, H, O, N, S, P)
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Monomer
(example)
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Polymer
(example)
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Functions
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Carbohydrate
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C, H, O
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Glucose, fructose, galactose
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Starch, glycogen,
chitin, cellulose
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Provide and store energy
Provide protection and support
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Lipid
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C, H, O, (P — phospholipids)
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Fatty acids, glycerol
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Triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids
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Is key component of cell membranes
Provide long-term energy storage Provide insulation
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Protein
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C, H, O, N (S)
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Amino acids
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Polypeptides (proteins)
Coils (pleated sheet)
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Provide enzymes (chemical reactions)
Provide hormones
Provide storage (egg whites of birds, reptiles; seeds)
Provide transport (hemoglobin)
Are contractile (muscle)
Are protective (antibodies)
Provide membrane proteins (receptors, membrane transport, antigens)
Are structural, assist movement
Provide toxins (botulism, diphtheria)
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Nucleic acid
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C, H, O, N, P
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Nucleotide (base, sugar, phosphate)
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DNA, RNA
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Translate genetic information
Provide sequence for amino acids and protein synthesis
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Part 1, Observations
1. C, H, O, N, S, P
2. C, H, O
3. Bohr model showing appropriate orbital number and electron distribution
4. Lewis model showing four available electrons from hybrid orbitals
5. Four electrons; can hybridize and form four bonds; bonds well with itself to form rings and chains
6. Amino acids
7. General structure of amino acid either drawn, copied and pasted on the computer, or made from a molecular model kit
Part 2.A , Observations
(Answers will vary.)
Part 2.B, Observations
1. Benedict’s test is for simple (reducing) sugars. The iodine test is to indicate complex carbohydrates (starch).
2. Qualitative
3. Carbohydrates are important. They give cells energy to carry on respiration, a requirement for life.
Part 3, Observations
1. 2H2O2 in the presence of peroxidase 2H2O + O2 (gas)
2. Hydrogen peroxide
3. An enzyme catalyzes and lowers the activation energy required for the decomposition reaction to occur.
4. The bonds in the peroxidase were broken. The peroxidase was denatured (changed shape). The enzyme could no longer work normally.
5. The bonds in the peroxidase were broken. The peroxidase was denatured (changed shape). The enzyme could no longer work normally.
6. Tubes 5 and 6 were the controls.
7. If the pH of the peroxidase environment is low, then the enzyme peroxidase will not be able to break the bonds in the hydrogen peroxide to produce water and oxygen gas.
Or
If the enzyme peroxidase is placed in an environment of boiling water, then the peroxidase will be denatured and will not be able to break the bonds in the hydrogen peroxide to produce water and oxygen gas.
Part 4, Observations
(Answers will vary.)
Follow-up/extension
Students should be able to relate the terms Active Site, Substrate, and Product to the function of protein.
Students may want to investigate competitive and non-competitive inhibition and allosteric changes in enzyme functioning.
If time allows, amylase action on starch and its changes in the Iodine or Benedict’s Reagent reaction may be observed.
Resources
Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry. The Biology Web. http://faculty.clintoncc.suny.edu/faculty/Michael.Gregory/files/Bio%20100/Bio%20100%20Lectures/Biochemistry/biochemi.htm. Provides good background information on the structures of all macromolecules.
Macromolecules
Student Activity Sheet
Name: Date:
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