Saturday DNA! Passaic - Macromolecule Madness

Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids are all around us and inside every cell in your body. But what exactly do these molecules do, and how can scientists tell them apart? Join us for a hands-on investigation into the building blocks of life as we test foods, explore enzyme activity, extract DNA, and investigate why oil and water don’t mix!

 Participants will:

• use iodine to test different foods for starch;

• investigate how temperature and pH affect enzyme activity using potato and hydrogen peroxide;

• extract DNA from wheat germ and observe the genetic material found inside cells; and

• investigate the properties of lipids by exploring how oil and water interact

Ages 12-15. Chaperone participation is welcome (chaperones must purchase their own ticket), but not required.