Unit 2 Reflection

        We recently finished the second unit in our biology class. This unit was about macro molecules along with their structure and function. The four macro molecules we learned about are called carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins. All of them have important functions in the human body, such as being a source of energy. In the beginning of the unit, I had trouble understanding the structure of lipids and nucleic acids, but overcame this struggle by reviewing my notes and watching all the vodcasts. I have also learned that I work quite well in a group and I have learned that watching the vodcasts and taking notes really do matter. Before I thought they were just so the teacher could give us homework. I have learned a lot more about carbohydrates and proteins in unit 2. In middle school, I don't think we ever even talked about them too much. I definitely believe that I am a better student today than I was before unit 2 because now i understand the importance of macro molecules and i understand the importance of everything and every lab we do as a group in class. I would love to learn more about carbohydrates since they really seem to interest me. I'm curious about how the more saccharides there are, the blander it tastes, yet the less saccharide, the sweeter. It is usually the other way around in this world. I wonder about how people came to know all this information about our bodies and how they discovered it.

        We also learned about atoms, compounds, and molecules, and how atoms make up everything in the universe. They are the quite literally the building blocks of life. We also covered elements, which are a pure substance, meaning they only contain one type of atom. Every atom contains protons, which are positively charged, neutrons, which are neutrally charged, and electrons, which are negatively charged. I did not have too much trouble with understanding these subjects because we covered the topic quite well in eighth grade with Mrs. Inlow, my former teacher.

        We learned a bit about acids and bases along with the pH scale. Acids, which can be corrosive to metals and other materials, taste sour and can be very dangerous to the touch. Bases, which feel quite slippery, taste bitter and are attracted to acids. On the pH scale, the less the number, the more acidic the substance is, but the larger the number, the more basic it is. The number 7 is the neutral on the pH scale.