Egg Macromolecule Lab Conclusion

In this lab, we asked the question, "can macromolecules be identified in an egg cell?" We found that lipids are found in the egg membrane. We know that lipids are found in the egg membrane because when Sudan III was added to the egg membrane, the egg membrane turned light orange, which is a sign that lipids are present in the egg membrane. It is reasonable that lipids would be found in the egg membrane, since membranes are made of lipids. This data supports our claim because lipids were detected in the egg membrane and the egg membrane is made of lipids. We also found that monosaccharides are found in the egg white. We know this because after benedicts solution was mixed with the egg white and heated in boiling water, the egg white turned forest green, which means monosaccharides were found in the egg white. Because the egg white is food for the baby chick, it makes sense that egg whites are made of monosaccharides, the primary energy source. This data supports our claim because monosaccharides were detected in the egg white and the egg white is an energy source. Finally, we found that proteins were found in the egg yolk. We know this because when sodium hydroxide and copper sulfate were mixed with egg yolk, it turned dark purple, which is a sign that proteins were present. Since the egg yolk is the baby chick, the proteins were probably the chick's structural proteins. This data supports our claim because proteins were detected in the egg yolk and structural proteins are needed for something to live.









While our hypothesis was mostly supported by our data, there could have been errors due to an accident that happened during the beginning of the lab. During this accident, the egg white and egg yolk became mixed. This may have affected our results because both the egg white and the egg yolk were contaminated and couldn't really be accurately tested. There could also have been errors because not all of the test tubes had exactly 2 milliliters, since the pipettes were hard to use, and also because there were bubbles of air in the pipettes. Due to these errors, in future experiments I would recommend using spoons with circular holes in them, which would make it harder for the egg white and egg yolk to mix. I would also recommend having the students temporarily mark the test tubes for 2 milliliters so they wouldn't have to worry about inaccuracies with the pipettes.

This lab was done to demonstrate where macromolecules are found in the cell. Since an egg is a single cell, we now know where monosaccharides, polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids are found in a cell. From this lab, I learned that lipids are found in the membrane of an egg cell, which helps me understand that lipids make up membranes. I also learned that proteins are found in the egg yolk, which was going to become a baby chick, which helps me understand the concept of structural proteins. Based on my experience from this lab, I know now how to test for the presence of a macromolecule, which would be helpful if I needed to test an unknown solution for macromolecules in the future.