Molecules Building Lab

MOLECULES BUILDING LAB I (Chapter 2) Problem: How are organic molecules structured – what are the atoms used and how are we able to identify the subunits of the macromolecules that make up our bodies?

Materials: Molecule building set

Procedure: 1. Look at the color key on the inside lid of the molecule building set so that you know which atoms are represented by which color ball. 2. Build the molecules listed below with the necessary balls and gray links attached. H2O, O2, CO2, C6H12O6, RULES: 1.Each hole in the ball must have a gray link attached. 2. The gray links must be inserted at both ends. 3. Diagram the finished model on computer paper divided into 4 sections and label each part. Make your diagrams large and include both the name of the compound and the formula. 4. Taking your last molecule that you built, C6H12O6, turn to the table next to you and see what you need to do to connect the two molecules together to make a larger molecule. Then see if you can connect that larger molecule to two more molecules of C6H12O6. When you are finished have the teacher check your molecules. 5. Answer the discussion questions on a separate piece of paper. 6. Dismantle your molecules and place all parts back in the molecule building set.

Discussion Questions: 1. The gray links represent the ______holding the atoms together. 2. How many connections (bonds) can be made with: a) Hydrogen ___ b) Carbon ____ c) Oxygen __ d) Nitrogen ___ 3. How many elements make up C6H12O6 and how many atoms? 4. What is different about the bonds holding the CO2 together? 5. When you combined your glucose molecules with other tables what had to break off to be able to make a space for the molecules to bond? 6. C6H12O6 is a ______(part of a protein, a carbohydrate or a lipid). 7. Which of the molecules that you built are organic molecules and which are inorganic molecules? How do you know? 8. Define Macromolecule. After joining all the glucose molecules from multiple tables together what macromolecule did you build?