Name: ____________________________________ Period: _____ Date: ________

Macromolecule Murder Mystery

Background: A body was found behind the popular SkateLand on the west side of Indianapolis early Sunday morning.
The victim is believed to be 17 year-old Maryann Shoemaker. Her mother, Mrs. Shoemaker, reported her daughter
missing late Saturday evening. The only clue Maryann left about her suspected killer was found by her mother on the
countertop below:

An autopsy was performed on the victim that revealed what the victim ate prior to her time of death. Three suspects
have also been apprehended in connection with the murder: Sanda Shadytree, friend and former lab partner to
Maryann; Johnny Didit, Maryann’s latest boyfriend; and Janelle Darkside, head cheerleader, and best friend of Maryann.
To help identify who the potential murderer is, and corroborate alibies, the Indianapolis Crime Squad obtained stomach
samples from each suspect early Sunday morning.

Your goal is to analyze stomach samples from Maryann and the three suspects that have been linked to the crime. The
murderer is believed to have shared Maryann’s final meal.

Prelab/Background Research:

Before analyzing the stomach contents of the deceased Maryann, you must determine the procedure to be used to test
for each organic molecule. Since there was no receipt from the restaurant found on the body, and the food was too
digested to identify, you will need to characterize it by identifying the macromolecules.

1. How will you figure out which macromolecules were in Maryann’s last meal?

For each macromolecule you must:

a. describe the procedure in enough detail that others could repeat your work,
b. describe how a positive result for the macromolecule will look and record in Table 1, and
c. describe how a negative result for the presence of the macromolecule will look and record this information in
Table 1.

Lipid Test: Protein Test:

 Carbohydrate-Glucose Test: Carbohydrate-Starch Test:

2. Why is a control very important in tests such as these?

Table 1: Positive & Negative Results for the Presence of Organic Molecules

Macromolecule Chemical Test Positive Test Result Negative Test Result

Lipids

Proteins

Carbohydrates-
Glucose
Carbohydrates-
Starch

Experiment:

You will use the information from above to help eliminate suspects. Write a scientific, testable question to drive your
investigation.

Question: (Think: will this type of testing be better for eliminating suspects or accusing suspects?)

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Hypothesis:

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 Data: Test the stomach content of the victim and the suspects. The victim’s table has been created for you. You are
responsible for creating and titling ONE table for the three suspects.

You will have 4 test tubes per person. Each test tube should receive one pipet full of stomach content. (e.g. You will
have 4 test tubes of Maryann’s stomach sample, 4 test tubes of Sandra’s stomach sample, etc.) You will test the stomach
content for glucose, starch, protein and lipids.

When conducting your tests, make sure to label your test tubes. There should be NO question as to who’s stomach
content you are testing at any given time

VICTIM: Maryann

Table 2: Test Results for Maryann’s Stomach Content

Carbohydrate Tests Protein Test Lipid Test

Maryann’s Sudan IV
Benedict’s Glucose Iodine Starch Biuret Protein Lipid
Stomach Content Test
Test Present Test Present Test Present Present
Color (+/-) Color (+/-) Color (+/-) Color (+/-)

Maryann

SUSPECTS: Sanda Shadytree (friend); Johnny Didit (boyfriend); Janelle Darkside (best friend)

Table 3: ______________________________________________________________________________________
Analysis: Complete the table below to summarize the evidence, and your interpretation of the evidence.

Table 4: Analysis of Stomach Contents from Suspects

Murderer? How do you know?

Suspect
Yes/No Describe evidence that supports your claim.

Sandra

Johnny

Janelle

Discussion: Report your findings in a discussion format; write your conclusion in complete sentences to form a
paragraph.

(1) Open the discussion by restating your question and hypothesis.

(2) Do you accept or reject your hypothesis?
(3) List the macromolecules that were present in Maryann’s stomach contents. How does this reveal what she had for
her last meal?
(4) What two suspects can be eliminated as Maryann’s killer? Support this claim by citing specific data from your
macromolecule test, and compare to Maryann’s results.
(5) Who was the last person to see Maryann and have dinner with her Saturday evening? How do you know? Support
this claim by citing specific data from your macromolecule test and compare to the victim’s macromolecule test.
(6) Why was it important to have a control negative for your macromolecules to compare to the stomach samples?
(7) Is there any doubt who the killer is based off of the tests conducted?
(8) How does having a knowledge of macromolecules help determine stomach contents?
(9) Based off of your findings, hypothesize what the victim may have eaten for her last meal. Include the main entrée
with one side and a drink. You may need to google search nutrition labels to confirm and support your hypothesis.

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