Egg Macromolecules Lab

     In this lab, we asked the question "Can macromolecules be identified in a egg cell?" We found that there are different macromolecules in different parts of the egg. In the egg membrane, the protein test using copper sulfate tested positive. The quantity of proteins in the membrane itself was 3 out of 10. The color of the membrane solution changed from blue to purple. The reason why proteins are present in the membrane is because a part of membranes is the transport proteins. These proteins transport molecules in and out of the cell during facilitated diffusion. For the egg white, lipids were one of the molecules tested for with Sudan III. This test tested positive. The color of the solution changed from red to orange. The amount of lipids in the white was 3 out of 10. Lipids are in the egg white because lipid molecules are in different organelles. The organelles in the egg are spread out throughout the egg white. Lastly, the egg yolk tested positive for polysaccharides. The test was done using iodine. The rating of the test was 1 out of 10. The color of the solution changed from yellow to orange. Polysaccharides would be found in the cell because a polysaccharide, like starch, would be in a egg in the form of sugar. It would, or course, be a complex carbohydrate that humans can consume,
     An error that could have happened during this lab is the measurement of parts of the egg and chemicals used to test the egg. While our hypothesis was supported by our data, this error could have changed the results of the lab. Depending on how much chemical solution or how much of the egg was tested, the rating for how much of molecule is in the yolk, white, or membrane could have gone up or down. Also, different parts of the egg could have gotten mixed together. If so, it was probably in very small quantities. This could have changed the results of the test by showing a molecule is in the egg part, but without the error, it wouldn't. A way to solve this problem could be to have a better way to split the egg. To solve the first problem, students just have to be more careful while doing lab work, particularly with the measurements.
     This lab was done to see what macromolecules are in an egg, specifically the different parts (yolk, membrane, white). The four molecules that the parts were being tested for were proteins, polysaccharides, monosaccharides, and nucleic acids. From this lab, I learned more about macromolecules, which helps me understand the concept of what molecules are in what parts of the cell. Based on my experience from this lab, I can know what parts of an egg I want to eat. If I need proteins, I'll eat the egg white because it has the most protein in it. If I need fats, I'll eat the yolk because it has the most lipids in it. This lab will also help later in biology when we are learning more about macromolecules.