My project is: Can marinating chicken before grilling reduce the amount of carcinogens? Carcinogens are basically substances that can cause cancer. Two examples of carcinogens are heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are simply chemicals that form when meat is cooked at very high temperatures. I think if I marinate the chicken breast before grilling it, I will reduce the amount of carcinogens in the meat because I learned from my biology class that proteins denature or wick away acids. I was watching my mom make chicken for dinner the other day and she marinated it in lemon juice. As I looked at it, I noticed that the edges of the chicken breast had turned white. I was wondering if this denaturation process could hinder the formation of heterocyclic amines to decrease the cancer risk from grilled chicken breast. Carcinogens are substances that can cause cancer. When a cell's DNA changes, cancer occurs. Not all carcinogens affect DNA directly, but they cause cancer in other ways. An example would be that carcinogens could increase the likelihood of changes in DNA occurring if the carcinogens caused cells to divide at a faster rate than normal. Exposure to carcinogens will not cause cancer every time. There are many ways to expose yourself to very common carcinogens such as ultraviolet light, radon gas, pollution, and workplace/home exposures, but not all of them will lead to cancer because they have "different levels of carcinogenic potential". After prolonged and high levels of exposure, some carcinogens can cause cancer. It does... middle of paper... cooks the meat. Now black pepper is an interesting spice because it is produced from the unripe and still green drupes of the pepper plant. To form black pepper, these drupes are briefly soaked and cooked in hot water to clean them and prepare them for drying. During drying, the cell walls of the pepper break down due to the heat. This breakdown accelerates the work of the browning enzymes during drying. The seeds shrink, darkening into a black, wrinkled layer, when the drupes are dried in the sun or even by a machine. This drying process can take several days to complete. Subsequently, by crushing the berries, the pepper brandy and oil can be extracted. In conclusion, when you marinate chicken breasts before grilling them, I believe you will be able to reduce the amount of carcinogens. Preventing cancer by taking small steps will lead to a happier, healthier and longer life.