You are on page 1of 13

Lab Report

I. Title

Diffusion and Osmosis

II. Purpose

The purpose of this lab was to investigate the relationship between solute concentration
and the movement of water through a selectively permeable membrane by the process of
osmosis by using both dialysis tubing and potato cylinders.

III. Hypothesis

1B) If the dialysis bag contains a solution with a high sucrose concentration, it will have
a higher increase in mass than a dialysis bag that contains a solution with a low sucrose
concentration.
1C) If the potatoes are placed in a beaker with a higher sucrose concentration than the
sucrose concentration in the potato cells, the potato cylinders will lose mass, whereas
potato cylinders placed in a beaker with a lower sucrose concentration will increase in
mass.

IV. Procedure

Exercise 1A: Diffusion


To demonstrate the diffusion of molecules across a selectively permeable membrane,
Mrs. Decker placed a dialysis bag of glucose and starch in a beaker of water. After
letting the substances diffuse, she determined the presence of glucose in both the beaker
and the bag by adding Benedict’s solution. She also determined the final color of both
the bag and the beaker. Both of these observations demonstrated glucose’s ability to
diffuse across a semi-permeable membrane.
Exercise 1B: Osmosis
To determine the effects that water had on the mass of dialysis bags containing different
sucrose solutions, first filled six dialysis bags with distilled water, 0.2 M sucrose, 0.4 M
sucrose, 0.6 M sucrose, 0.8 M sucrose, and 1.0 M sucrose. We placed each of these bags
in separate cups containing distilled water, and let them stand for 30 minutes. After
roughly thirty minutes, we massed each dialysis bag and calculated the percent change in
mass of each bag using the initial and final mass values we recorded in our table.

Exercise 1C: Water Potential


We measured the water potential of potato cells by using a cork borer to cut thirty potato
cylinders. We massed them in groups of five, and put five massed potato cylinders in
beakers of 0.2 M, 0.4 M, 0.6 M, 0.8 M, and 1.0 M sucrose as well as in a beaker of
distilled water. After letting them sit overnight, we blotted and massed each group of
five potato cylinders. We recorded the final mass in the same table that the initial mass
was recorded in.

V. Presentation of data/calculations/results
Exercise 1A: Table 1.1

Initial Solution Color Presence of Glucose


Contents Initial Final Initial Final
Bag 15% glucose Clear/white Purple
& 1% starch flecks
Beaker H2O & IKI Yellow Yellow

Exercise 1B: Table 1.2: Dialysis Bag Results- Group Data

Contents in Dialysis Bag Initial Final Mass Mass Difference Percent Change in Mass
Mass
a) 0.0 M Distilled Water 10.00g 9.70g 0.30g -3.00%
b) 0.2 M Sucrose 10.99g 11.50g 0.51g 4.641%
c) 0.4 M Sucrose 10.71g 11.42g 0.71g 6.629%
d) 0.6 M Sucrose 11.09g 11.99g 0.90g 8.115%
e) 0.8 M Sucrose 10.80g 12.32g 1.52g 14.074%
f) 1.0 M Sucrose 11.85g 13.49g 1.64g 13.840%

Exercise 1B: Group Data Graph

Percent Change in Mass of Dialysis Bags

20%
Percent Change in Mass

15%

Percent Change in Mass


10%

Linear (Percent Change in


5%
Mass)

0%
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
-5%
Sucrose Concentration (M)
Exercise 1B: Table 1.3: Dialysis Bag Results- Class Data

Percent Change in mass of Dialysis Bags Total Class Average


Group 2 Group 4 Group 6 Group 7
0.0 M Distilled Water -11.99% .20% 1.28% -3.00% -13.51% -3.3775%
0.2 M Sucrose 2.78% 3.0% 2.4% 4.641% 12.821% 3.20525%
0.4 M Sucrose 5.08% 7.8% 6.04% 6.629% 25.549% 6.38725%
0.6 M Sucrose 8.66% 8.5% 6.98% 8.115% 32.255% 8.06375%
0.8 M Sucrose 10.53% 11.3% 13.22% 14.074% 49.124% 12.281%
1.0 M Sucrose 14.39% 11.2% 13.25% 13.840% 52.68% 13.17%

Exercise 1B: Class Data Graph


Percent Change in Mass of Dialysis Bags per Group

20.00%
Percent Change in Mass

Group 2
15.00%
Group 4
10.00%
Group 6
5.00% Group 7
0.00% Linear (Group 2)
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 Linear (Group 4)
-5.00%
Linear (Group 6)
-10.00%
Linear (Group 7)
-15.00%
Sucrose Concentration (M)

Average Percent Change in Mass of Dialysis Bags

16.00%
Percent Change in Mass

14.00%
12.00%
10.00%
8.00%
6.00% Class Average
4.00% Linear (Class Average)
2.00%
0.00%
-2.00% 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
-4.00%
-6.00%
Sucrose Concentration (M)

Exercise 1C: Table 1.4: Potato Core- Individual Data

Contents in Beaker Initial Final Mass Mass Difference Percent Change Class Average Percent
Mass in Mass Change in Mass
a) 0.0 M Distilled Water 6.73g 8.22g 1.49g 22.14% 19.746%
b) 0.2 M Sucrose 6.61g 6.80g 0.19g 2.87% 0.598%
c) 0.4 M Sucrose 6.92g 5.91g 1.01g -14.595% -10.875%
d) 0.6 M Sucrose 8.35g 6.08g 2.27g -27.19% -18.976%
e) 0.8 M Sucrose 7.32g 4.35g 2.97g -40.57% -27.508%
f) 1.0 M Sucrose 7.33g 4.12g 3.21g -43.79% -29.65%

Exercise 1C: Individual Data Graph

Percent Change in Mass of Potato Cores

30.00%
Percent Change in Mass

20.00%
10.00%
0.00% Percent Change in Mass of
-10.00% 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 Potato
-20.00% Linear (Percent Change in
-30.00% Mass of Potato)
-40.00%
-50.00%
-60.00%
Sucrose Concentration (M)

Exercise 1C: Table 1.5: Potato Core Results- Class Data

Contents in Beaker Percent Change in Mass of Potato Cores Total Class


Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 6 Group 7 Average
0.0 M Distilled Water 14.6% 20.25% 24.7% 17.04% 22.14% 98.73% 19.746%
0.2 M Sucrose 2.27% 0.45% -2.6% 0% 2.87% 2.99% 0.598%
0.4 M Sucrose 13.95% -13.46% -20.8% -19.47% -14.595% -54.375% -10.875%
0.6 M Sucrose 24.4% -23.78% -31.6% -36.71% -27.19% -94.88% -18.976%
0.8 M Sucrose 34.09% -35.76% -45.3% -50% -40.57% -137.54% -27.508%
1.0 M Sucrose 36.96% -43.58% -41.4% -56.44% -43.79% -148.25% -29.65%

Exercise 1C: Class Data Graph

Percent Change in Mass of Potato Cores per Group

1.2 Group 2
Percent Change in Mass

1 Group 3
0.8
Group 4
0.6
0.4 Group 6
0.2 Group 7
0 Linear (Group 2)
-0.2 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3
Linear (Group 3)
-0.4
-0.6 Linear (Group 4)
-0.8 Linear (Group 6)
Sucrose Concentration (M) in Beaker Linear (Group 7)

Average Percent Change in Mass of Potato Cores

30.00%
Average Percent Change in

20.00%
10.00% Average Percent Change in
M ass of Potato Cores
0.00%
Mass

-10.00% 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 Linear (Average Percent


Change in Mass of Potato
-20.00% Cores)
-30.00%
-40.00%
Sucrose Conce ntra tion (M) in Be a ke r

Example Data: Table

Contents in Beaker- Sucrose Molarity Percent Change in Mass


0.0 M- Distilled Water 20%
0.2 M 10%
0.4 M -3%
0.6 M -17%
0.8 M -25%
1.0 M -30%

Example Data: Graph

Percent Change in Mass of Zucchini Cores

30%
Percent Change in Mass

20%

10%
Percent Change in Mass of
0% Zucchini Cores
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 Linear (Percent Change in
-10%
Mass of Zucchini Cores)
-20%

-30%

-40%
Sucrose Concentration (M) in Beaker

VI. Conclusions

As a result of the various experiments we performed, we have reached conclusions on the


diffusion of molecules across a selectively permeable cell membrane and the diffusion of water
across a selectively permeable membrane (osmosis). We also observed the effects of differing
solute and water concentrations on either side of the membrane.
In Exercise 1A, the initial color of the contents inside the dialysis bag- the glucose and
the starch- was clear with white flecks; the initial color of the water and IKI was yellow. The
final color inside the bag was purple, and the final color outside the bag was yellow. Because of
this, we concluded that the dialysis bag acted like a selectively permeable membrane. Sucrose
was not allowed to move out of the bag, but glucose was allowed to move into and out of the
bag, as well as water. We knew this because the final color (purple) within the bag meant that
starch was present (as was glucose- each sugar was originally present in the bag), and the yellow
outside the bag meant that glucose was present, indicated by Benedict’s solution. (the IKI did not
turn brown outside the bag, so starch was not present). We can relate this to the cell membrane
because it only allows small molecules like glucose to diffuse into the cell, while larger
molecules like starch cannot, and get into the cell through the help of proteins in facilitated
diffusion. Water diffuses through the cell membrane through the process of osmosis. Osmosis
was demonstrated in Exercise 1B.
In Exercise 1B, we learned that as the concentration of sucrose in the dialysis bags
increased, the percent change in mass increased, as shown by both our graph and the graph
displaying the class data. We concluded that more water moved into the bags with higher
sucrose concentrations because the contents of the dialysis bags were hypotonic to the contents
in the beaker. The water diffused into the ‘membrane,’ or dialysis bag, in order to reach
equilibrium. As a result, the bags with higher solute concentration were heavier. This is also an
example of water potential: water always moves from an area of higher water potential (more
water molecules) to an area of lower water potential (less water molecules). Water potential is
also demonstrated in Exercise 1C.
By observing the effects of varying concentrations of sucrose solution on potato cores,
we drew conclusions about the movement of sucrose and water across a selectively permeable
membrane. The graphs of this data have negative slopes, unlike the graphs from Exercise 1B.
This is because, in Exercise 2C, the sucrose solution is outside the membrane instead of inside of
it. We observed that, as the sucrose concentration that the potato cores were in increased, the
mass of the potato cores decreased. We concluded that this was because of water and solute
potential. As the concentration of solute increased, more water moved from the potato cell and
into the surrounding solution of water. The potato cells then got smaller because of water loss.
As a result of these exercises, we reached several conclusions concerning the selectively
permeable membrane of a cell. We concluded that only small molecules can diffuse into the cell
membrane without the help of proteins in facilitated diffusion; we concluded that the
concentration of solute inside and outside of the cell determines the relative environment of the
cell: hypotonic, hypertonic, and isotonic. Equilibrium, or an isotonic environment, is reached
for as water diffuses into or out of the membrane during osmosis. The movement of water is
explained by the definition of water potential: the tendency of water to move from an area of
higher water potential to an area of lower water potential. Solute concentration affects water
potential. The process of diffusion and osmosis through the cell membrane play important roles
in the maintenance of the cell.

Error analysis
Although the points on our graph in Exercise 1B are fairly close to the trend line,
they are not completely accurate. There are several factors that could have contributed to
the bad data points in Exercise 1B. First of all, we could have put too much or too little
of any one sucrose solution into the dialysis bags. If we added too much sucrose, more
water would enter into the dialysis bag than should have- this would contribute to data
points above the trend line. However, if we did not use enough sucrose solution, less
water would enter the dialysis bags- this would contribute to data points below the trend
line. We also could have neglected to blot the dialysis bags dry before each of the two
times we massed them. If so, then they were recorded as heavier than they really were,
and these data points would be above the trend line. In addition to this, we ran out of
time, so we only let the dialysis bags sit in the beakers for about twenty minutes. As a
result, not all of the water may have diffused into the dialysis bags, and they may have
weighed less than they would have if allowed to sit for thirty minutes. These points
would be plotted below the trend line. We did the procedure correctly, but if there had
been a misunderstanding, the data also would have been inaccurate. For example, if the
dialysis bags were filled with sucrose solution and put in the same concentration of
sucrose solution, the environment would be isotonic, and there would be no change in
mass. The points would be completely off of the trend line. However, if water was put
in the dialysis bags and these bags were placed in the sucrose solutions, the points would
form the trend line, but with a negative slope, because the dialysis bags would be losing
mass instead of gaining mass.
Our data in Exercise 1C is actually quite reliable, because most of our points are
very close or even right on the trend line. However, they did not all touch the trend line,
so we made mistakes. One thing we could have done wrong was massing the potato
cores accurately. If we recorded too high of a mass, then the potatoes would have
seemed to gain less weight than they actually did. This would be represented by the
points below the trend line. The opposite would occur if we recorded too low of a mass.
We also could have forgotten to blot the potatoes dry after letting them sit overnight, and
this would also result in a final mass and points above the trend line. Finally, if we did
not cover the beakers to prevent evaporation while sitting overnight. If water that had
diffused out of the potato cells evaporated, more water would diffuse out of the potato
cells in an attempt to reach equilibrium, and the process continued until we massed the
potatoes. A loss of water could have resulted in a loss of mass of the potatoes and data
points below the trend line.
Analysis of Results

Pg. 3, 4

1. Which substances are entering the bag and which are leaving the bag? What experimental
evidence supports your answer?

Glucose is leaving the bag because after the substances were allowed to diffuse across the
‘membrane,’ the solution in the beaker was tested for glucose using Benedict’s solution.
Glucose was indeed present because the solution turned yellow. Water entered the bag
because the bag increased in mass. Starch did not leave the bag. When the solution in the
beaker was tested for starch with IKI, the result was negative because, unlike the solution in
the bag, the solution in the beaker did not turn purple or brown.

2. Explain the results you obtained. Include the concentration differences and membrane pore
size in your discussion.

Because of the concentration differences, osmosis occurred so that equilibrium could be


reached. Water entered the bag because of the high solute concentration. Because of the
small pores of the ‘membrane,’ or dialysis bag, only small molecules were allowed to pass
through- glucose and water. In a cell membrane, starch could only pass through facilitated
diffusion.

3. Quantitative data uses numbers to measure observed changes. How could this experiment be
modified so that quantitative data could be collected to show that water diffused into the
dialysis bag?

Quantitative data could be collected to show that water diffused into the dialysis bag by
massing the dialysis bag before and after being placed in the solution. The dialysis bag
would show an increase and mass, proving that water diffused into the dialysis bag.

4. Based on your observations, rank the following by relative size, beginning with the smallest:
glucose molecules, water molecules, IKI molecules, membrane pores, starch molecules.

Water molecules, IKI molecules, glucose molecules, membrane pores, starch molecules.

5. What results would you expect if the experiment started with a glucose and IKI solution
inside the bag and only starch and water outside? Why?

The starch would not move because it is too big of a molecule to move through the
membrane. The IKI and glucose would diffuse outside the bag, and the water would diffuse
inside the bag until equilibrium was reached. The IKI would also turn the starch molecules
outside the membrane purple.

Pg. 7, 8

1. Explain the relationship between the change in mass and the molarity of sucrose within the
dialysis bags.

As the molarity of the sucrose inside the dialysis bags increases, the mass of the bags
increase because water is diffuses into the dialysis bags where sucrose concentration is
higher.

2. Predict what would happen to the mass of each bag in this experiment if all the bags were
placed in a 0.4 M sucrose solution instead of distilled water. Explain your response.
The bags containing sucrose solutions with a concentration less than 0.4 M would lose mass
because the water in those solutions would move outside the bag, where there would be a
higher solute concentration. The bag containing 0.4 M sucrose solution would not change in
mass because the solution would be isotonic. The bags containing sucrose solutions with a
concentration higher than 0.4 M would increase in size because water from outside of the
bag would move into the bag where there would be a higher concentration of solute.

3. Why did you calculate the percent change in mass rather than simply using the change in
mass?

We calculated percent change so that we could compare the change in mass of all the dialysis
bags containing different concentrations of sucrose.

4. A dialysis bag is filled with distilled water and then placed in a sucrose solution. The bag’s
initial mass is 20 g and its final mass is 18 g. Calculate the percent change of mass, showing
your calculations here.

(18-20)/20=-.1*100=-10% change of mass

5. The sucrose solution in the beaker would have been hypertonic to the distilled water in the
bag.

Pg. 14 #1 and 2

1. If a potato core is allowed to dehydrate by sitting in the open air, would the water potential
of the potato cells decrease or increase? Why?

The water potential of the cell would decrease because high water potential is when more
water molecules are present, whereas low water potential is when less water molecules are
present. If a potato core is dehydrated, it lacks water and has a decreased water potential.

2. If a plant cell has a lower water potential than its surrounding environment and if pressure is
equal to zero, is the cell hypertonic (in terms of concentration) or hypotonic to its
environment? Will the cell gain water or lose water? Explain your response.

The cell is hypertonic to its environment because it contains less water, so the cell will gain
water in order to become isotonic to its environment.

Pg. 16 #10

10. Consider what would happen to a red blood cell (RBC) placed in distilled water:
a. Which would have the higher concentration of water molecules? Distilled H2O
b. Which would have the higher water potential? Distilled H2O
c. What would happen to the red blood cell? Why? The red blood cell would increase in
mass and possibly burst because water would diffuse into the red blood cell because of
the lack of water there.

You might also like