Every semester we walk into our classes expecting to learn something, but it’s usually the “in one ear, out the other” variety. Whether the class is Intro to Medieval Art or Forensic Anthropology, we end up with pages and pages of notes neatly tucked away in our psyche. But once in a while, there is a radiating gem of knowledge that is exciting and genuinely interesting. It’s the thing that you go and tell all your friends. It is the kind of thing you would crack out at cocktail parties, if anyone ever invited you to one.
Interview with Dr. Puryear
Cell Biology is a 301 class in the Biology department that focuses on the functions of the cell. Students develop a key understanding of the roles of proteins and enzymes in the body, as well as how it relates to pathologies. At the beginning of the semester Dr. Puryear demonstrates the egg and vodka trick. Not only is it a good bar trick, but it also simulates what happens to a fetus when exposed to alcohol. “One of the things we do in the intro classes and in cell biology to demonstrate how proteins fold and work is very simple. You take a glass of vodka, warm or cold, and you break an egg into it. And almost immediately you’ll see the proteins denature. (“Proteins are folded structures, when they are “denatured” they are essentially unfolded. What you are witnessing is this change of shape.) And that’s the exact same thing that happens when you cook something. But here instead of using heat to break down the proteins, simple vodka will do it, whiskey will do it, any alcohol that’s above 40% will do it. The proteins will denature and a few minutes later you’ll have something that looks like the center of an egg McMuffin.
The Recipe
Step 1. Procure a clear glass, an egg, and your mother’s best vodka.
Step 2. Pour enough vodka for it to cover the egg.
Step 3. Geronimo!
Step 4. Observe the color and texture of the egg. Wait five minutes.
Step 5. Viola! Your egg should have a firm yolk and the whites should appear fully cooked (but we don’t recommend eating it!)