You Are What You Eat -- An introduction to macromolecules

Breaking News: A murder occurred on Sunday night. The victim:

male, in his late 30’s, 6’1”and 200 pounds. He was found lying face
down at his kitchen table. The suspect is still at large, but investigators
believe it must have been someone close to the victim. Central to
finding the individual responsible for this heinous crime is to identify
where the victim spent his time on the day of the murder. This will help
police trace back who the victim came into contact with the day he
died. After completing an autopsy, the coroner revealed what the victim
had eaten before he died. This will help investigators determine who
poisoned the victim. The coroner tested for different macromolecules
that were either present or absent in the victim’s stomach. Below are
locations of the victim’s favorite local eateries and who he would spend
time with at each location.

Part One: Understanding Macromolecules

1. What is a macromolecule?

2. What are the four major macromolecules found in all living things?
1.
2.
3.
4.

3. In what sorts of foods do you find the macromolecules that you listed above? What are the functions of these molecules?
Macromolecule Types of Foods (list 3-5 Function of the macromolecule -- Biological examples:
different types of food) What does it do in the body/cell?

1. _______

2.
_____________

3.
_____________

4.
_____________

Part Two: Analyzing Possible Suspects

Possible dining establishments victim visited:
A. Buffalo Wild Wings: The victim would spend time here watching different sports
games and feasting on hot wings and celery. He would always attend Buffalo Wild
Wings with his coworker, Ibzan, whom he had a friendly relationship with. However, it
has been noted that Ibzan and the victim would often get into many arguments while
watching the games.
B. Lamppost Pizza: This was a favorite of the victim. He would always order the
“Linebacker” pizza which comes with cheese, pepperoni, sausage, Canadian bacon,
 bacon, ground beef, and salami. Avary is the manager of Lamppost Pizza and was the victim’s ex-girlfriend.
C. Chipotle: The victim dined here often. Usually ordering a veggie bowl with beans, lettuce and brown rice. The victim
dined here with his current girlfriend, Alexia. Alexia hated that the victim continued to go to Lamppost pizza without
her.
D. Chick-Fil-A: The victim liked to eat here once a week. He would order a spicy chicken sandwich and Chick-Fil-A
nuggets along with an Oreo shake. The victim would often go to Chick-Fil-A for lunch with his friend, Ethan. The
victim’s ex-girlfriend is Ethan’s sister.

For each of the locations listed, what macromolecules would be found in the victim’s stomach if his last meal was eaten at
any of the locations above?
Dining Location: Possible Macromolecules Found in Stomach

Buffalo Wild Wings

Lamppost Pizza

Chipotle

Chick-Fil-A

Part Three: Coroner’s Report Letter on report: ________

Obtain the coroner’s report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Based on the report, what was the victim’s last
meal?
a. What were the different tests that were used by the coroner to test for the different macromolecules? List the test,
what it is used to test for, and the results of your autopsy report:

Name of Test: What macromolecule it tests: Results of the test

(positive/negative)

1.

2.

3.

4.

b. What could have been the victim’s last meal that night that he died? (List all possible meals if you think there is more
than one)

What is your evidence?

c. Who is a possible suspect for poisoning the victim (list all possible suspects):
d. What is your reasoning for choosing this suspect?

e. How is analyzing what the victim ate the night he died helpful to investigators finding the possible suspect?