This short, targeted simulation is adapted from the full-length “Introduction to Food Macromolecules” simulation.

Discover the protein in your food! In this simulation, you will be introduced to the chemical structures of protein and the importance of protein within our diets. Begin by learning the basics of amino acids and investigating the primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary protein structures. Then learn how to test for the presence of proteins in food samples using the Biuret's test.

Jump into your food samples

Begin by jumping inside an egg to initiate an animation that explains the chemical building blocks that make up protein. Learn how the genetic information encoded in DNA can be translated into amino acids. Discover how these amino acids can form peptide bonds between each other to make a long polypeptide chain: the primary protein structure. Watch as the intramolecular forces between the polypeptide rearrange the chain to form the secondary and tertiary structures of the protein. Finally, return to the lab to perform an experiment which will test for the presence of protein.

Use Biuret's test

You will assay food samples using Biuret’s test for protein. A range of food samples have been prepared and their respective solution placed in a test tube. Perform the experiment for each food sample and observe the color change over time. Identify the positive and negative result for the test. Use what you have learnt to determine which food samples contain protein. Does your friend's salad contain protein?

Review your knowledge

Put your knowledge of proteins to the test in quizzes throughout the simulation. Do you know the name of a secondary protein structure?