Biomolecules and design
Identify the four biomolecules and outline an experimental design before the PLTW evidence task.
Pre-lab design sheet: a table listing each of the four biomolecule tests with the indicator used, the positive result color, and the negative result color; plus a written hypothesis for one test.
- 1Do thisIdentify the four biomolecules and outline an experimental design before the PLTW evidence task.
- 2Use this resource
- 3Submit thisPre-lab: Pre-lab design sheet: a table listing each of the four biomolecule tests with the indicator used, the positive result color, and the negative result color; plus a written hypothesis for one test.
- 4Submit it here
- 1CMSD website. Go to clevelandmetroschools.org and click the Clever button.
- 2Clever. Clever opens. Sign in if it asks.
- 3Microsoft (district) login. Use your district Microsoft account (the one for school).
- 4Schoology. Open Schoology, then your class, then Assignments, and find the file named below.
The file to submit is named: Principles of Biomedical Technology (Principles of Biomedical Science) › Unit 1.1 to 1.2: Experimental design in evidence testing; transition to autopsy evidence and biomolecules. › Pre-labOpen Schoology
- CER:
- Claim, Evidence, Reasoning — make a claim, back it with evidence, explain your reasoning.
- SOP:
- Standard Operating Procedure — the exact steps to follow (especially in a lab).
- Tracker:
- Your PLTW progress log where you record completed evidence.
- myPLTW:
- The PLTW course site where you do the online activities — you open it through Schoology.
Minute-by-minute · 80-minute block
💡 Big idea: Indicator tests detect specific biomolecules because each molecule reacts uniquely with a chemical reagent, producing a visible color change.
- 0:00Quick warm-up: name four things you ate yesterday; which biomolecule category does each belong to?
- 0:08Teacher-led notes: four biomolecules, indicator test for each, positive vs. negative result interpretation
- 0:28Experimental design practice: label independent, dependent, and controlled variables for a food-test scenario
- 0:42myPLTW: complete the evidence-testing online task and toxicology introduction section
- 1:02Write a hypothesis for one biomolecule test: state the expected color change and the reason
- 1:10Exit: which indicator test has the highest risk of a false positive and why?
- • Every food you eat, every fluid in your body, and every tissue in every organ is built from four types of molecules. Today we meet them: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.
- • We are going to learn to test for each one using indicator chemicals. An indicator is a substance that changes color when it meets its target molecule. Simple idea, huge forensic and clinical value.
- • We are also starting toxicology today. Toxicology is the study of how much of a substance causes harm. The key word is how much: almost every substance is harmless at a low enough dose and harmful at a high enough dose.
- • Tomorrow you will run the tests. Today you write the hypothesis and design the experiment so that you know exactly what you are doing before you touch any reagent.
- 1Take notes on carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids and their tests.
- 2Review how a positive vs. negative indicator result is read.
- 3Define independent, dependent, and controlled variables for a food-test design.
- 4Complete the PLTW evidence-testing online task and toxicology intro.
- 5Write a hypothesis for one biomolecule test you will run.
- • I can name the four biomolecules and one test for each.
- • I can label the variables in an experimental design.
- • The four biomolecules are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids; each has a specific indicator test (e.g., Benedict's for reducing sugars, Lugol's for starch, Biuret for protein, Sudan IV for lipids).
- • A positive control contains the substance being tested; a negative control does not. Both are required to validate indicator results.
- • In a toxicology dilution series, the independent variable is concentration and the dependent variable is the measured effect.
Your PLTW work today
Unit 1.1 to 1.2: Experimental design in evidence testing; transition to autopsy evidence and biomolecules. · Biomolecules and design
Day 2 of this lesson. Open this exact section in myPLTW (reached through Schoology), then do the work below.
Do this: Open Lesson 1.1 Investigating the Scene in myPLTW and complete the online task covering biomolecules and the toxicology introduction.
Mark the Lesson 1.1 evidence-testing online task complete in myPLTW.
You read the overview Monday. By the end of today both the biomolecule content and the toxicology introduction should be finished.
Screenshot of myPLTW showing the Lesson 1.1 evidence-testing task marked complete.
All PLTW activities are completed inside the PLTW course environment — this page only gives direction. Submit producibles on Schoology.
Today's PLTW tracker
Check things off as you work, then submit. This tells Mr. Mendoza how you're doing so he can help the class. It does not replace turning in your producible on Schoology.
Use the code Mr. Mendoza gave you, not your name. Saved on this device.
Unit 1.1 to 1.2: Experimental design in evidence testing; transition to autopsy evidence and biomolecules. · Biomolecules and design
Open Lesson 1.1 Investigating the Scene in myPLTW and complete the online task covering biomolecules and the toxicology introduction.
You read the overview Monday. By the end of today both the biomolecule content and the toxicology introduction should be finished.
This is how Mr. Mendoza sees the class keeping pace with PLTW. Be honest, it only helps if it is accurate.
🎯 Identify the four biomolecules and outline an experimental design before the PLTW evidence task.
- Take notes on carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids and their tests.
- Review how a positive vs. negative indicator result is read.
- Define independent, dependent, and controlled variables for a food-test design.
- Complete the PLTW evidence-testing online task and toxicology intro.
- Write a hypothesis for one biomolecule test you will run.
Pre-lab: Pre-lab design sheet: a table listing each of the four biomolecule tests with the indicator used, the positive result color, and the negative result color; plus a written hypothesis for one test.
Submit on SchoologyUpload by 11:29 PM for full credit.
| Task | Who |
|---|---|
| Take notes on carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids and their tests. | _______ |
| Review how a positive vs. negative indicator result is read. | _______ |
| Define independent, dependent, and controlled variables for a food-test design. | _______ |
| Complete the PLTW evidence-testing online task and toxicology intro. | _______ |
| Write a hypothesis for one biomolecule test you will run. | _______ |
Working solo? Put your own name in "Who" for every row.
- I can name the four biomolecules and one test for each.
- I can label the variables in an experimental design.
Resources & readings
Hand-picked materials for this lesson. Class file items open the document directly; the rest are vetted readings and interactives from other biomedical programs.
WebXam practice
Cumulative WebXam review
A quick mixed-review pulling questions from earlier units plus today, so the WebXam material stays fresh.
Where this leads — careers
What today's skills lead to. These are real health-science careers this course builds toward. Tap one to see, on the US Department of Labor's O*NET site, what the job actually involves, what it pays, and how fast it is growing.
What to do if you were absent
Today is individual PLTW work, so do exactly what we did in class, from home: complete the same PLTW target above, then submit your Pre-lab.
Open Schoology (CMSD) and keep goingHow to get there: open the CMSD website, click Clever, sign in with your Microsoft (district) account, then open Schoology from Clever.
Class still runs. Complete the online activity above (it's self-guided). Need the concept taught without a teacher? Use this authoritative explainer:
Khan Academy: macromolecules- CompleteEvery required part of the artifact is present, nothing left blank.
- AccurateThe science and the data are correct and match the evidence.
- Scientific reasoningYou explain your claim with evidence and reasoning (CER), not just an answer.
- Professional communicationClear, organized, labeled, and written the way a clinician or scientist would.
- SubmittedTurned in the right way (Schoology for routine work) and confirmed.
Drop your Wed, Sep 9, 2026 · Biomolecules and design here. Use a clear file name (your initials + project). Routine work still goes to Schoology (via the CMSD portal).
Upload a project