Macromolecules are usually used to refer to large biological polymer which are made up of small monomers linked together. All living things contain organic macromolecules, which is divided into four main groups: Lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. (D 'Onofrio, 2009-2015) Characteristic for these organic molecules is that they are made up of only a small number of elements: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and to smaller amounts nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur.
Carbohydrates are better known as sugars and starches. There are three main categories in which carbohydrates can be divided into: Monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides. (D 'Onofrio, 2009-2015) Monosaccharides (simple sugars) such as glucose and fructose provides energy in cells during cellular respiration, and are used to build cell structures and other organic molecules within the cells. Disaccharides are composed of two monosaccharides joined together, like sucrose which is a disacharide composed of one glucose and one fructose molecule. Polysaccharides are
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Indicators are chemical compounds used to detect the presence of other compounds. Indicators are easy, quick and cost efficient way to test for macromolecules present (or absent) in compounds and solutions. There are several indicators which can be used however only three will be discussed and used in this experiment. Iodine detects starch and can therefore be used to test for carbohydrates, Sudan III detects water insoluble substances and thus is used to test for lipids and Biuret & Copper sulphate detects peptide bonds and is used to test for proteins. These compounds change to a unique colour when they come into contact with their designated macromolecule and this is used in labs to identify the macromolecules present in solutions (A colour change of an indicator is usually a positive test for the presence of an organic compound). (FOOD