Thermal denaturation of proteins using UV light

Possible research question IB

To what extent does the intensity of UV light affect the structure of protein?
Personal interest
It is a subject that caught my attention since I saw it as a challenge to be able to comply
and demonstrate that the change of structure can be done with only ultraviolet light.
However, it is quite a difficult challenge which can keep the error rate quite high, but I would
like to give it a try and analyze the results I get.
Aim
The objective of this project is to see if there is an alteration in the structure of the protein and
to see if there is a change that is noticeable with the naked eye.
Context
This research is important to me since I would like to know how much the structure of the
protein can change, which is a food that we consume on a daily basis and we also have
proteins in our body, how light could change the structure of the protein that we find in our
body. food and this could help the environment in Ecuador since knowing how much the
intensity of UV light gives us the opportunity to give way to a deep investigation to protect
our skin from the intensity of UV light.
Scientific Background
Variables

Quantitative Variable Qualitative Variable

Controlled
Independent Dependent Texture
intensity of UV light structure of protein Color

temperature

The intensity of the UV light is considered an independent data since it can be seen and
analyzed if the UV light does not depend on the change in the structure of the protein.In the
dependent variables is the structure of the protein and the temperature since they are data
which do have a direct relationship with the question since it is what is focused on and
depending on that you can see the changes, and on the other hand, there is the analysis of
qualitative variables which can be seen in the color and even in the text that it acquires.The
project focuses on denaturation, the unfolding or breaking of a protein is defined, modifying
its standard structure in order to create a new structure and see its alterations.

Hypothesis
Ho= UV light affects protein structure
H1= UV light does not affect the structure of the protein
Selection of materials
● UV light flashlight: test if it modifies the structure
● differents food that contain protein(egg):is e the product which can be tested and
analyzed for their structure
● gloves
● microscope: to see if there was a change in the structure
● Petri dish: the sample will be placed to be able to see it through the microscope

Procedure
First, a part of the eggshell will have to be extracted for analysis, then it will have to be
visualized through a microscope in order to visualize the basic structure. Now it can be
applied to the microscope and to be able to apply the ultraviolet light and to visualize through
the same one, to finally it is due to wait a moment and to analyze if it changes its structure.

Bibliography

Breathe Creative (Henley-On-Thames). (2021, mayo 10). Ultravioleta explicado - La luz

UV es un componente natural. Berson, Hanovia & Aquionics UV; Berson, Hanovia,

Aquionics. https://www.weuvcare.com/es/uv-education/

Matsuura, Y., Takehira, M., Joti, Y., Ogasahara, K., Tanaka, T., Ono, N., Kunishima,

N., & Yutani, K. (2015). Thermodynamics of protein denaturation at temperatures over

100 °C: CutA1 mutant proteins substituted with hydrophobic and charged residues.

Scientific Reports, 5(1), 15545. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep15545

May., ＴＡ N0 ５４. (s/f). Thermal Denaturation of Proteins II. Hitachi-hightech.com.

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https://www.hitachi-hightech.com/file/global/pdf/products/science/appli/ana/thermal/ap

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The proteins composition, structure, and function. (1963). Elsevier.

(S/f). Cinvestav.mx. Recuperado el 16 de febrero de 2023, de

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ence=1&isAllowed=y