- Perform a first-hand investigation to model the selectively

permeable nature of a cell membrane

Beakers A and B

The dialysis tubing has small pores which allow certain substances of appropriate
size to pass through.
Allows iodine and water to pass through but stops large starch molecules
Beaker

Mass of tubing bag (g)

Colour after a day in

beaker

Colour after a day in bag

Initial: 24.6
Final: 30.2

Brown

Blue-black

Initial: 22.4
Final: 18.6

Blue-Black

Brown

Analysis
Increase of mass of bag in BEAKER A indicates osmosis occurring, through
tubing into the bag (WATER)
Colour of Iodine: BROWN > BLUE-BLACK by presence of starch
BLUE-BLACK colour of bag indicates that iodine has diffused through the tubing
and since the Iodine solution in the beaker did not change, no starch diffused out
In BEAKER B, mass of bag decreases indicates diffusion through the bag into
starch solution
Iodine solution diffuses through the bag into the beaker, causing the Blue-Black
change
No starch has diffused into the bag, hence no change of Brown colour
The tubing acts as a semi permeable membrane, allowing water and iodine
solutions to pass through pores, but not allow starch

- Perform a first-hand investigation to demonstrate the difference

between osmosis and diffusion
BEAKERS C AND D

The mvt of water from areas of low(glucose) concentration to high(glucose)

concentration

 The mvt of glucose is in the opposite direction, from high concentration to low
concentration
Beaker

Mass of dialysis tubing

bag (G)

Colour of solution in
beaker after a day

Colour of solution after a

day in bag

Initial: 23.5
Final: 28.2

Blue to Orange

Blue to Orange

Initial: 19.6
Final: 14.7

Blue to Orange

Blue to Orange

Analysis
In BEAKER C it is clear that the water has diffused into the bag through the
tubing, from low glucose to high glucose concentration
In BEAKER D it is clear that the water has diffused out the bag through the tubing
into the glucose solution which is much higher concentration
Testing with Benedicts Solution it is clear that the GLUCOSE has moved from
areas of to low concentration(water)
Water and Glucose move in opposite directions
Water diffuses from a low to high concentration
Starch turns from white to purple
Glucose from aqua to orange