Any Biology majors, etc.?

[-Carnifex-]

Are there any Biology majors or anyone who works in that field who could answer some questions for me?

[PissedGodzilla]

I got my Bachelors and Masters in biology hopefully I can answer sone q's ask away!

[skife]

google is a major in everything *shrugs*

[pjammaman]

i have my honours degree in biology and environmental science, with an emphasis on aquatic ecosystems. if i can be of assistance i will.

[Stix]

I majored in Bio, not sure if I can really help you too much though.

[-Carnifex-]

I've got a research paper due in which I have to explain four experiments that will identify which of the four biochemical molecules are in this unknown substance. So, I need to find something that reacts with each of the biochemical molecule but not the other.

I'm thinking I'll use water for Lipids, would that work? Since they'd form micelle, etc. correct?

I still don't have anything for the other three.

[PissedGodzilla]

how specific do you have to be?? Do you have to get a Specific molecule, or a general molecular category, like lipids, etc.??

If it's the general ones, it's fairly easy. Nuclear magnetic resonace will be able to let you know if there is a benzene ring, if it is a areane, a ketone, and alcohol, etc.

Heat separation would be used to seprate the four molecule types if they are in a mixture together, that is, as long as they are all different molecular types. (Ketone, aldehyde, alcohol, etc. )

Of course if you have the molecule in separation already, and you have to get SPECIFIC, Mass spectroscopy is all you will need. it will give you the molecular weight and all you got to do is look it up in a chem book!

But you already knew this... lol

The most important part is to find a test for each of the molecules that is specific for that biochemical molecule and only that molecule. Have you had organic chem yet?

I think this might need to be moved over to deep blue...

[PissedGodzilla]

if you already know what the four organic molecules are, let me know what they are and I can tell you the specific way to get them.

[PissedGodzilla]

I think I understand a little better know what you were looking for.... try this site, it should answer all of your questions, including what tests to use...!!!


your welcome!!!

Courtesy of your friendly neighborhood biologyman

http://www.biologymad.com/master.html?http://www.biologymad.com/biochemistry/biochemistry.htm

[-Carnifex-]

The assignment reads:

Assume that you have been given an unknwon sample that contains one of the biochemical molecules described in your reading. Design an experiment (using multple tests) that will allow you to indentify your unknwon substance.

[-Carnifex-]

All right, so apparently water is also one of the biochemical molecules.