Oil is a type of lipid used in this experiment. Lipids have many vital functions within the body. These functions include energy storage, construction of plasma membrane, and precursor of sex hormones (Reece, Urry, M.Cain, & et al, 2014). In order to tell the difference in the oil and water clearly, the tester Beta carotene can be used. Beta carotene is dissolvable in a lipid but not in water. There is no reaction that occurs but there is dissolving that takes place, which leaves an orange pigment behind in the membrane (Shanholtzer, pp B1-6, 2014). This is important to demonstrate the hydrophobic nature of unsaturated fats. Proteins serve many important functions. Protein's role expands to catalyzing chemical reactions, immune-defending against foreign invaders, storing, moving nutrients across plasma membranes, and providing structural support (Reece, Urry, M.Cain, & et al, 2014). Albumin is a type of protein that helps move many small molecules through the blood. It also keeps that blood fluid from leaking into tissues. To test this protein the Biuret's Test is used. Polypeptides with long amino acid chains will react with cupric ions (Cu+2). This reduction reaction creates cuprous ion and gives off a blue/violet color that's indicates a positive protein identification. The intensity in color is relative to the amount of peptide present in the compound being tested (Hayworth, 2015).
Although in the lab nucleic acids are not tested, they are considered polymers made of monomers called nucleotides. The two types of nucleic acids are DNA and RNA that enable an organism to reproduce components and pass along to the next generation. It is hypothesized during these experiments that all solutions with simple sugars will react positive to Benedicts Test. These include the monosaccharide, disaccharide (maltose), and lactose. All of these contain a simple sugar. During the Lugol's Test only the polysaccharide (starch) will react because this test is designed to only test for starches.
