Honors Biology
Biochemistry Project
Biological Macromolecules
Name ________________________________
Introduction
Biological macromolecules are of the most important organic substance to living organisms.
Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids all play vital roles in our daily lives. Whether it is the
consumption of certain foods rich in a particular macromolecule or the basis of our genetic code, all of
these molecules are critical to maintaining life.
Project Overview
Your assignment is to create a 3-dimensional model of a molecule in one of the macromolecule
categories. The type of macromolecule that you will be creating will be assigned to you and a partner.
Because there are a variety of molecules that will be represented, your creation will have its own unique
qualities and will vary from that of other group. For example, you may be assigned to create a model of
the polysaccharide cellulose and another group may be assigned the steroid cholesterol. Therefore it is
important that you devise a model that best suits the molecule that your are representing. The second
component of the project will be a short written component. The written component will be concise but
will describe important functions and a real-world application of the macromolecule you are modeling.
You will be assigned one of the molecules listed below.
A. Carbohydrates
Monosaccharide (glucose, fructose, etc)
Disaccharide (sucrose, maltose, etc)
Polysaccharide (starch, glycogen, cellulose, chitin)
B. Lipid
Triglyceride (saturated or unsaturated)
Phospholipid
Steroid (Cholesterol, Testosterone, Estrogen)
Wax
C. Protein
D. Nucleic Acid
DNA nucleotide
RNA nucleotide
ATP
Overall Model Requirements
1. A 3-dimensional component represented by some model piece(s)
2. The molecular formula must either be clearly represented on the model itself or a key indicating what e
each model piece is meant to represent.
3. Functions: Provide the function(s) of your molecule in a short caption portion of the project
4. Along with the function provide a short segment of a real world application. This is meant to be
something unique about your macromolecule that provides additional insightful information. It could
include problems or malfunctions caused by an abnormality in structure or function.
5. The model and attached written portion must either be supported/suspended or able to be hung.
6. Be sure to include the names of group members.
Molecule Specific Instructions/Notes
A. Carbohydrates
Monosaccharide (glucose, fructose, etc) **willow= fructose
Disaccharide (sucrose, maltose, etc) **Meghan & Sam= sucrose
1. You are only creating one molecule; therefore your one molecule is the centerpiece of your creation.
2. Use model pieces to display the 3-dimensional molecule but be sure to include a key to indicate the
atoms that the model pieces represent.
3. Your model must accurately show the covalent bonds between atoms in the molecule. Label at least
one of the bonds.
3. Make sure that you get the molecular formula of your mono/disaccharide correct. With only one/two
molecules to create, it is critical that you get the formula and structure correct.
4. Include the molecular formula with the name of the molecule on your model.
Polysaccharide (starch, glycogen, cellulose, chitin) **Bailey & Surafel= starch; Olivia= chitin; Evan=
cellulose
1. You must use a model piece to represent the monomer (e.g. glucose) that makes up your polymer.
2. Represent the molecular structure of one of the monomers on the model.
3. Your polymer must be at least 20 monomers in length.
3. Label at least one covalent bond or use a key to show what model piece represents a covalent bond.
B. Lipid
Triglyceride (saturated or unsaturated) (p. 42-43, Mader) **Hanna & Michelle= unsaturated
1. Use a model to represent glycerol and 3 fatty acids. Each fatty acids should be 8-15 carbons in
length.
2. Use a key to indicate the atom that is represented by a particular piece (e.g. black ball = carbon).
3. All carbon, hydrogen and oxygen should be included.
4. Label double bonds when appropriate.
5. Show appropriate structure and shape of molecule when differentiating between saturated and
unsaturated fats. (You will be assigned one or the other)
Phospholipid (p. 44, Mader) **Nolan= phospholipid
1. Use a model to represent a glycerol and phosphate (polar head) and 2 fatty acids (nonpolar tail).
2. Your model should resemble the actual shape of a phospholipids with the head portion and the tail
portion.
3. Use a key to indicate the atom that is represented by a particular piece (e.g. black ball = carbon
4. Each fatty acid chains should be 8-15 carbons long
4. Label double bonds when appropriate.
Steroid (Cholesterol, Testosterone, Estrogen) (p. 45, Mader) **Leeds & Martin= estrogen
1. Your model will include 4 fused rings and a representative side chain (functional groups) which will
distinguish it from the other steroids.
2. Use a key to indicate the atom that is represented by a particular piece (e.g. black ball = carbon).
3. Label double bonds when appropriate.
4. It is important to show the functional groups on your model; therefore, make sure you understand the
molecular structure of the steroid you are creating.
Wax (p. 45, Mader) **Alex= wax
1. Models of waxes must accurately represent a long fatty acid chain (8-15 carbons) linked to a longchain alcohol.
2. Use a key to indicate the atom that is represented by a particular piece (e.g. black ball = carbon).
3. Label double bonds when appropriate.
C. Protein (p. 46-49, Mader) **Cameron & Ruby; Elise O.
1. Protein models need to include 20+ amino acid monomers linked together to make a polypeptide
chain.
2. Your protein can be made into a alpha helix, beta sheets or the polypeptide can be left in a long chain.
3. Your model must show the structure of at least one amino acid. The structure can be represented on
the key or as part of the model.
4. Proteins are made of different amino acids; therefore make sure that your model indicates those
differences
5. Use a key to indicate the atom that is represented by a particular piece (e.g. black ball = carbon).
6. Label double bonds when appropriate.
D. Nucleic Acid
DNA nucleotide/RNA nucleotide or ATP (p. 50-52, Mader) **Ebbe & Elise C.= DNA; Sophie= RNA
1. You have the choice of making one nucleotide (RNA or DNA) or a nucleic acid with more than one
nucleotide.
2. If you chose to make one nucleotide include detailed structure of the phosphate, sugar and nitrogen
base
3. If making ATP you will essentially be making one nucleotide with adenosine (ribose and nitrogen
base) and 3 phosphate molecules
4. Linking nucleotides to make nucleic acids must be shown with the correct linkage of phosphate to
sugar.
5. Use a key to indicate the atom that is represented by a particular piece (e.g. black ball = carbon).
6. Label double bonds when appropriate.