Biology 102 Lab 2

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UMUC Biology 102/103

Lab 2: The Chemistry of Life

INSTRUCTIONS:

* On your own and without assistance, complete this Lab 2 Answer Sheet electronically and submit it via the Assignments Folder by the date listed in the Course Schedule (under Syllabus).

* To conduct your laboratory exercises, use the Laboratory Manual located under Course Content. Read the introduction and the directions for each exercise/experiment carefully before completing the exercises/experiments and answering the questions.

* Save your Lab 2 Answer Sheet in the following format: LastName_Lab2 (e.g., Smith_Lab2).

* You should submit your document as a Word (.doc or .docx) or Rich Text Format (.rtf) file for best compatibility.

Pre-Lab Questions

1. Nitrogen fixation is a natural process by which inert or unreactive forms of nitrogen are transformed into usable nitrogen. Why is this process important to life?

It allows many aquatic plants and organisms to survive in a nitrogen scarce environment.

2. Given when you have learned about the hydrogen bonding shared between nucleic acids in DNA, which pair is more stable under increasing heat: adenine and thymine, or cytosine and guanine? Explain why.

Cytosine and guanine pairs share 3 hydrogen bonds whereas adenine and thymine share only 2 hydrogen bonds. Since more heat is needed for cytosine and guanine, they are more stable.

3. Which of the following is not an organic molecule; Methane (CH4), Fructose (C6H12O6), Ethanol (C6H12O), or Ammonia (NH3)? How do you know?

Ammonia is inorganic because it does not have a C-H bond in it.

Experiment 1: Testing for Proteins

Data Tables and Post-Lab Assessment

Table 1: A Priori Predictions

Table 1: A Priori Predictions |

Sample | Will There be Protein Present? | Initial Color | Final Color |

1 - Albumin Solution | YES  | CLEAR |  PURPLE |

2 - Gelatin Solution |  YES  | CLEAR |  PURPLE |

3 - Glucose |  YES  | CLEAR |...