The Case of the Missing Penguins
A Protein Analysis Activity

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Hook
Antarctica is governed by a series of treaties that bans the exploitation of animal life on Antarctica and the areas surrounding the continent. No commercial fishing or hunting is permitted in Antarctica. While completing a routine population count on the colonies of pengins inhabitating Antarctica, a group of scientists noticed that the numbers of Emperor penguins had dramatically dropped from the last population count. After reporting this to the authorities it was discovered that for the first time restaurants in Argentina were selling meat that vendors called Antarctic penguin meat. To determine the source of the penguin meat, you have been selected as a member of the research team assigned to determine the authenticity of the meat and whether or not it is that of the missing Emperor penguins. Using your understanding of biological chemicals, your task is to determine a method to identify the source of the meat and then to conduct the investigation. Before starting the lab tests, your methodologies must be approved by the teachers.

Materials
white light box, microwave or hot plate, pH meter, table sugar, white vinegar, microcentrifuge, distilled water, 95 degree celcius hot water bath, electrophoresis equipment, staining trays, DNA tracking dye, agarose, 1.5 mL or 2 mL microcentrifuge tubes, 15 mL centrifuge tubes, Tris Base, Boric Acid, Coommassie Blue stain, Bromophenol Blue, 80 uL High Protein Molecular Weight Standards (High range)

Procedure
In your lab group, you will develop the methodologies necessary to differentiate between the meat samples and detemine whether or not the meat labeled confiscated penguin meat is actually that of the Emperor penguin.

Discussions Questions/Extensions ......

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