My Concept Map!!! Macromolecules and MORE!!! =)

FRUIT-LOOPS!!!!

 

Fruit-Loops!!! Who would have ever thought to make a protein molecule out of fruit-loops... I know I never would have, but Mr. Ludwig sure did! There are 20 different amino acids in a protein molecule, and although we didn't have 20 different colors to use the 6 or so we did have made due just fine. I really liked this activity especially being able to eat the extra cereal that was left over in my cup. =) After I was done stringing my cereal I combined mine with Logan and Lauren's to create a globular protein. I learned how these molecules are formed and how some are strands while others are in a big GLOB!!! This hands on activity made learning about the structure of protein molecules much more fun and allowed me to retain the information more easily. In a sense molecules are like snowflakes no two are ever the same... They all differ in some way whether it be in their forms, colors, or structures. It's interesting to think that no protein is the same... Its kind of like no person is exactly the same. But I guess that's what makes us and proteins unique. After all who would ever want to be exactly like someone else!!! =)

CARBOHYDRATES!!! =)

http://www.lifeclinic.com/focus/nutrition/carbohydrate.asp?

     This article titled "Carbohydrates" discussed the effects and results that occur with the carbohydrates we as humans consume. It covered multiple aspects of carbohydrates including; how they effect our bodies, the recommend amount to consume, and how they react within ones body. Carbohydrates are known to many as simply carbs, but how many of us actually understand what the purpose of a carb is? I know before the lab we worked on I didn't actually know much about carbohydrates. However after working on the many different parts in this lab about carbohydrates, I have learned quite alot. Such as the fact that the main purpose of carbs are to give the body specific amounts of energy to break down when necessary. Personally I believe that both this article and our lab we have recently worked on have really improved my understanding of carbohydrates.

     There are two main types of carbohydrates; Sugars and Starches. Everyday we all consume sugars and starches that are necessary for our bodies to store so the energy they contain can later be realeased when needed. In most cases sugars are more easily broken down by the body becasue they are said to be simple, whereas starches are more complex and take a longer amount of time before they can be broken down and used for energy.
     Nearly everything one eats is rich in carbohydrates, nutrients, and various vitamins such as vitamin A and C. Which are most commonly found in fruits and vegetables. Although carbohydrates seem to have a positive effect in ones health there are carbs that aren't as rich in nutrients. These can actually harm the body. Carbohydrates such as mollasses and honey, may taste sweet, but if one does not excersise when these types of carbs are consumed, the body will retain the excess fat that they are giving off. Which can result in health problems.
     Although for the average person I wouldn't recommend eating excesive ammounts of carbs, for most athletes this is a must. For many triathlons and decatholons the athletes paricipating in them prepare for the race by "carb loading," meaning they take in extra amounts of carbs with a higher carb count in order for more of their food intake to be transferred to energy. This prcoess will allow these athletes to hopefully make it through the race with a better outcome. Plus in many cases the extra carbs isn't a worry to athletes because they quickly use these carbs as they are broken down to form energy rather then stored where they will settle and be turned into fat.
     Statistics show that 60% of our daily intake of calories should be from carbohydrates. A good way to achieve this is that one should try to eat foods that provide the body with less fat and sugar and more with vitamins and nutrients. So I leave you with a challenge, try to become a healthier person and watch your intake of carbs, and see how much better you may feel about yourself knowing that your benefiting both your body and your health by doing something as simple as this. =)

Self Analysis

BIOLOGY, BIOLOGY, BIOLOGY!!!!!
     The quarter ends this Friday and it has gone by so quickly. I have learned so much from water properties to the difference between acids and bases. Although it's very difficult at times I realize that I have to continue trying and working hard to achieve anything in this class. I remember last year being in intro to biology and I never understood a thing. But since being in this Biology class I have really gained a lot of knowledge especially pertaining to the water properties and how they coincided and work with one another. I have come to realize that although I normally am on the sites or posts were supposed to be working on, I seem to get distracted by the chaos of being in such a large class. I may only be a quarter into this class, but I have easily found out that in order to get things done I have to mentally block out all the other distractions around me, because if not I will never get anything done!!! Focusing is truly the most important thing I need to continually do in this Biology Class. However I do like the pace we are learning at, because it adds some excitement, in a sense because in some standards it's almost as if were having to teach ourselves the little things in order to get a good grade on a blog post, and personally I like that aspect, although I did struggle on the carbohydrates and sugars elements we were working on. I'm not exactly sure why, but it has taken me some time to catch on to how they react and respond to one another. While there are some aspects that I really enjoy about this Biology class, there are points that I struggle in and all I can do is keep trying my hardest and work towards that A that I so desperately want to earn!!! =)

What a TERRIBLE TEST SCORE!!!

     Our most recent Biology quiz only consisted of 10 questions and I just happened to do a terrible job on it. By all means I don't think a 60 some percent is very good. So I have decided to write this blog in order to try and help my quiz grade by informing you all about what I've retained and learned throughout Biology involving, saccharides, glycogen, carbohydrates, and so much more.

     A monosaccharide means single or one in other words. It includes glucose, galactose, and fructose. Most foods we eat may fall into this category due to the fact that monosaccharides include honey, fruit, and high-fructose corn syrup (THIS IS IN KOOL-AID) which we get from fructose.

Here is a diagram of the basic Monosaccharide molecule

     A disaccharide means two or double. When a disaccharide is created, one monosaccharide loses its Hydrogen (H) and another monosaccharide loses a Hydroxyl group which is OH. It includes sucrose, lactose, and maltose. Sucrose, also known as regular sugar is made up of glucose and fructose. Lactose, which is referring to milk is made up of glucose and galactose. While maltose which is found in many grains is made up of two parts glucose.

FUN FACT: some people are lactose intolerant, which means they are allergic to milk, these people are genetically unable to ingest milk properly.

This is a diagram of a Disaccharide

A polysaccharide means many, three or more. This includes starches or glucose polymers. A polymer is multiple monomers.

This is an example of a polysaccharide


Carbohydrates consist of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen.

Starch and cellulose are macromolecules, carbohydrates, polymers, and monomers. Polymers and monomers are two completely different things but without one another they would not be able to form properly. A polymer is built from repeating units while monomers are built from links, like a chain that is continuously growing or building.

-In most plant structural material cellulose is often found. Cellulose is also very common in wood, cotton, and paper. Hydrogen bonds are common in cellulose because there are many -OH groups in the oxygen atoms.

-Many animals store excess glucose by polymerizing it forming glycogen. The glycogen that is stored withing their bodies gradually breaks down when the excess energy is needed.



EXPERIMENTATION
Iodine: In the lab we experimented with we combined various contents with iodine in a test tube. We observed that if the contents in the tube changed colors noticeably, like a blue color then the result were that the contents were starches. However if there was no visible change then it was obvious that they were not a starch.


Benedict's: We also combined different contents with Benedict's solution to determine whether or not it was a monosaccharide or a disaccharide. After mixing the contents with the solution, and placing it in a hot water bath for about three to five minutes, our results became very apparent. We observed that if the contents of the test tube turned a bright orange or yellow, then the solution was a monosaccharide. However if it turned a brown-ish color then the solution was a disaccharide. On the other hand if the solution had no visible change whatsoever, then it was a polysaccharide.

-Hope this helps my grade!!! =)

Water Properties

Link