CEBU DOCTORS’ UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Physical Sciences Department

Laboratory Activity Sheet No. 5

Physical and Chemical Properties of Nucleic Acids

Group Members: Floro, Feodor Wayne Jaime Laboratory Schedule: TF 1:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Gaviola, Averie Gail
Gumapac, Claire
Imperial, Julia Emanuelle

Program and Year: BSN 1 - J Score: _______________________

I. Objectives:
1. Perform various chemical tests on given unknown solutions to identify the different
substances present in them

2. Illustrate the flow of analysis conducted to identify the different substances

II. Situation and Data:

As a final output for your biochemistry laboratory class, you are tasked by your instructor to identify different
substances as to what class of biomolecule did they belong to according to the results of the different chemical
tests conducted on them. Shown below are the results of these tests. Identify comprehensively each sample.

Sample #1:
● Produced yellow precipitate when reacted with concentrated nitric acid ammonium molybdate
solution
● No evident purple ring when reacted with α-naphthol and concentrated sulfuric acid
● No permanent translucent spot on brown paper
● Produced a purple coloration when reacted with CuSO4 in NaOH

Sample #2:
● No permanent translucent spot on brown paper
● Did not produce a purple coloration when reacted with CuSO4 in NaOH
● Produced purple ring when reacted with α-naphthol and concentrated sulfuric acid
● Did not produce yellow precipitate when reacted with concentrated nitric acid ammonium molybdate
solution

Sample #3:
● Did not produce a purple coloration when reacted with CuSO4 in NaOH
● No permanent translucent spot on brown paper
● Produced a purple ring when reacted with α-naphthol and concentrated sulfuric acid
● Produced yellow precipitate when reacted with concentrated nitric acid ammonium molybdate
solution
Sample #4:
 CEBU DOCTORS’ UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Physical Sciences Department

● Produced a permanent translucent spot on brown paper

● Did not produce a purple coloration when reacted with CuSO4 in NaOH
● Did not produce a purple ring when reacted with α-naphthol and concentrated sulfuric acid
● Did not produce yellow precipitate when reacted with concentrated nitric acid ammonium molybdate
solution

Sample #5:
● Did not produce yellow precipitate when reacted with concentrated nitric acid ammonium molybdate
solution
● Produced a purple coloration when reacted with CuSO4 in NaOH
● Did not produce a permanent translucent spot on brown paper
● Produced a purple ring when reacted with α-naphthol and concentrated sulfuric acid

III. Analysis of Data and Findings

Biuret Test Spot Test Molisch’s Test Phosphate Test

Sample # 1 Purple coloration (-) (-) (+)

(+)

Sample # 2 Purple coloration (-) (+) (-)

(-)

Sample # 3 Purple coloration (-) (+) (+)

(-)

Sample # 4 Purple coloration (+) (-) (-)

(-)

Sample #v 5 Purple coloration (-) (+) (-)

(+)
 CEBU DOCTORS’ UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Physical Sciences Department

The biuret test is a common test for proteins. Sample #1 gave a positive result, indicating a protein containing
peptide bonds. The result of the spot test, which is a test for lipids, is negative. This means it is neither fat nor oil. The
Molisch’s test, which is a test for carbohydrates, was negative, meaning it was not carbohydrates. A nucleic acid test
measuring phosphate yielded a negative result, indicating that it contained no phosphate residues. We can conclude
that this sample is protein.

IV. Conclusion
The Biuret test is a significant experimentation to test the presence of proteins in different substances.
Biological molecules, namely the lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids allow researchers to determine whether or
not there truly are fats or oil, carbohydrates, or phosphate present in their environment. In the experiment involving
four samples, only a few of them are able to validate that there are the aforementioned corresponding particles present
in their substance. For the lipid sample, it is proven that there is neither fat or oil involved for it has tested negative in
the experiment. Same is true for carbohydrates for it tested negative, meaning that there is no carbohydrate present in
its sample. Same as well for nucleic acids for it tested negative which means that there is no phosphate identified. On
the other hand, however, the first sample indicates a positive result which allows the researchers to approve that there
is protein in its substance. Having said this, the results from the conducted experiment greatly influenced the study for
it is able to examine the substances that are evident. Through this, it allows the researchers to determine if each sample
contains its corresponding biological molecule and thus, reach a positive or negative conclusion. The use of materials
and acids such as paper and CuSO4 allowed them to react to the substances which manipulated their chemical and
physical properties.

V. Laboratory Safety Supplementary Activity

1. Classify the hazardous chemicals in the chemical tests used based from the waste classification provided.

The hazardous chemicals that have been used from the chemical test are sodium hydroxide, hydrated copper II sulfate,
potassium sodium tartrate, α-naphthol, ethanol, sulfuric acid, ammonium molybdate, nitric acid.

VI. Real-Life Connection

1. Describe any recent technology that is used to identify the different biomolecules.

The study of biomolecules has undergone a revolutionary change in recent years. Molecular markers,
amplification, and nucleic acid sequencing are a few of them. Three generations are categorized for the latter. Small
DNA fragments can be sequenced using the first method. The second one is more practical for sequencing whole
genomes and transcriptomes since it enhances throughput while decreasing turnaround and cost. The ability of the
third generation to sequence single molecules without prior amplification, which was previously inconceivable, is
pushing technology to its limits. In addition, this is a new revolution that enables researchers to sequence RNA directly
without first doing retro-transcription. These technologies are significantly influencing a variety of fields, including
biotechnology, agronomy, ecology, and medicine. Additionally, intriguing evolutionary information is being revealed by
the study of biomolecules. Including understanding what makes us.