Breaking Proteins

Name: ____________________________

Question
What question is this scientific investigation seeking to answer?

Hypothesis
Give a possible, testable explanation to answer the question. The Independent and Dependent have to be
stated

Materials & Methods

List the materials you used below:

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A numbered, step by step list of short instructions of how to perform the experiment, written in the third
person, such that another student could follow and replicate the experiment, then identify the variables in your
experiment:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Independent Variable:
Dependent Variable:

Results: Here you list the results of your experiment. Include any relevant charts, data tables, and graphs.

Table 1.1 – Egg White Solution

Room Temp
Control Hot Water Alcohol
Water
Change in
Appearance
Denatured
Not Denatured
Table 1.2 – Description of each experimental sample

Variable Tested Provide a brief description of the appearance

Control
Hot Water
Alcohol
Room Temp

 Restate Problem
Discussion/Conclusion  Restate Hypothesis
 State if hypothesis is supported or not.
 Use data as evidence
 Make inference to explain your results (answer to the problem)

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Going Further (Required) – Answer the following questions while considering the data you collected as well as
your knowledge of the effects of different environments on proteins.

1. In this experiment there were two water treatments. Was one more effective in denaturing proteins?
Why? Support with data.

2. We denature proteins when we cook the meat we are going to consume. Heat is known to denature
proteins; did we discover other ways to do this? Support with data.

3. Ceviche is a unique way cooks prepare protein. Research it and describe what condition denatures the
proteins in the food preparation method and what scale is it measured in (ex: heat is measured in
degrees). Provide an example of a food (protein) prepared that you found in your research.

4. Proteins in your cells need to be at a certain temperature to function and not denature. (a) What
temperature does your body need to be to function properly? (b) Provide two methods your body uses
to raise and lower body temperature to maintain homeostasis. (c) What could happen to a person’s
proteins if their internal temperatures got too high? (d) What would happen to them?

a.
b.
c.
d.