Unit 2 Reflection

Unit two was all about chemistry and understanding concepts about everything from parts of an atom to enzymes and how they create chemical reactions. The chemistry we learned about all relates directly to biology and will help us better understand life. One main topic covered in two different vodcasts were the four macro molecules. This included carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, and Nucleic acids. An essential concept that I had success remembering was the structure and function of each macro molecule. We also covered material about basic chemistry such as different types of bonds and acids and bases in the first vodcast. These concepts are harder for me to remember and are one of my weaknesses in this unit. Finally we went in depth about enzymes and how they speed up chemical reaction using activation energy. We completed a lab during which we made cheese from milk and rennin while testing many different pH and temperature variables. During this lab I learned that enzymes get activation energy from warm and highly acidic environments. This relates to real life examples of cheese companies and laundry solution companies who use enzymes on a daily basis to make their product. This unit made me a better student today because I feel that the HOT questions and relate & reviews made me think about the concepts more in depth and I now remember the material better. I also learned about being aware of possible error in an experiment while I am doing the experiment. During the cheese lab Mr. Orre reminded us to be thinking about what errors could be happening and I wrote them down, making it easier for me while I was completing my conclusion because I already had my errors thought of. This unit leaves me thinking about how many aspects of life the four macro molecules are found in. They are the four big groups of molecules and so I am left to wonder if they are literally in every organic material or just in a few. I also wonder how these macro molecules were discovered and who analyzed them to figure out there were four types. This unit taught me lab skills as well as crucial chemistry concepts.