Ricardo Perez AP Biology Period 6 Lab Report

AP Biology Laboratory 1:
Diffusion and Osmosis Through a Semi-Permeable
Membrane (Dialysis Tubing)

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Ricardo Perez AP Biology Period 6 Lab Report

Introduction- Activity A: Diffusion

The cell membrane is a cell’s way of interacting with the outside world. It must act as a
shield to protect it from potential hazards and yet allow important chemicals in and out, all
while keeping the cell in the tight bundle that contains the DNA, enzymes and organelles that
allow it to function. A membrane that allows certain molecules to pass back and forth while
stopping others is called a semi-permeable membrane. There are two ways for molecules to
move through the cell, passive transport, which requires no energy, and active transport,
which does require energy.

The purpose of this lab is to study the movement of certain particles through a semi-
permeable membrane by way of passive transport. The membrane we will be using, dialysis
tubing, is semi-permeable because it has submicroscopic holes all throughout. Molecules move
through because there random motion will eventually bring it to ones of these holes and into
the membrane. Though this may seem ineffective, it is actually the opposite, there are so many
holes in the membrane and the molecules move so fast, not to mention that there are massive
quantities of them, that they pass through very quickly.

Also, notice how inside the dialysis tubing, there will be less solvent (water) than on the
outside, so there is less likely a chance that water molecules will exit the membrane. The
movement of molecules to areas of lower concentration, such as the inside of the dialysis
tubing, is called the diffusion. The diffusion of water through a semi-permeable membrane is
called osmosis. When a cell has the same level of solute as the outer solution, then the solution
is said to be isotonic. If it has more solute on the outside than the inside, in other words, a
hypertonic solution, then the cell will wither and shrink. If it is the opposite, or hypotonic, than
the cell will expand and burst.

In the experiment we will be putting a dialysis tubing bag full of glucose/starch solution
in a solution of iodine-potassium iodide (IKI) to see how the molecules move across the
membrane. We will be able to tell how the molecules moved by the color of the solution inside
and outside the bag since starch and IKI solution react to form a black/blue solution. If the
solution inside the bag is black-blue than the IKI will have moved across the membrane into the
bag, or vice versa.

My hypothesis is that since iodine and potassium are both pretty small atoms they will
move across the membrane and turn the solution in the pouch black-blue. Also, since glucose is
a small molecule I believe it will move evenly until both sides of the membrane have equal
amounts.

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Ricardo Perez AP Biology Period 6 Lab Report

Materials and Procedures- Activity A: Diffusion

Materials

 Dialysis tubing, any length

 Plastic Cup
 Glucose/Starch solution
 Distilled water
 Iodine-potassium iodide (IKI) solution
 Dropping pipette
 Glucose test strips
 Funnel

Procedure

1. Pour 160-170 mL of distilled water into a plastic cup. Add approximately 4 mL of IKI
solution to the water and mix well. Record the initial solution color in Table 1 on page S-
4. Dip a glucose test strip into the solution and record the initial glucose test results in
table 1. Use the + symbol to indicate a positive test result for glucose and the – symbol
to indicate a negative result. Discard the used glucose test strip.
2. Dip a fresh glucose test strip into the glucose/starch solution. Record the initial results in
Table 1. Discard the used glucose test strip.
3. Obtain a piece of dialysis tubing that has been soaked in water. The tubing should be
soft and pliable. Roll the tubing between your thumb and index finger to open it. Close
one end of the tube by knotting it off with string or with a simple knot with the tubing
itself. This will form a bag.
4. Using a small funnel, pour 15 mL of glucose/starch solution in the dialysis bag. Smooth
out the top of the bag, running it between your thumb and index finger to expel the air.
Tie off the open end of the bag. Leave enough room in the bag to allow for expansion.
Record the initial color of the glucose/starch solution in Table 1.
5. Immerse the dialysis bag in the solution in the cup. Make sure that the portion of the
bag that contains the glucose/starch solution is completely covered by the solution in
the cup at all times.
6. Wait 30 minutes. While waiting, complete the exercise for figure 2.
7. After 30 minutes, remove the bag from the cup, blot it on a paper towel, and cut a slit in
the bag large enough to insert a glucose test strip. Fill the final columns of Table 1.

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Ricardo Perez AP Biology Period 6 Lab Report

Data- Activity A: Diffusion

Table 1: Color and Glucose Concentration in the IKI and Glucose/Starch solution

Solution Color Glucose Test Results

Location Solution Initial Final Initial Final
Dialysis Glucose/Starch Colorless Black 15 30
Bag mmol/L(+) mmol/L(++)
Cup IKI Orange/Yellow Clear 30 30
mmol/L(++) mmol/L(++)

Glucose Readings Throughout the Experiment

35

30
Mmol/L of

25
Glucose

20
In the Dialysis bag
15 In the Cup

10

0
Initial Reading Final Reading

Time Reading was Taken

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Ricardo Perez AP Biology Period 6 Lab Report

Discussion/Conclusions- Activity A: Diffusion

Due to the fact that the solution in the membrane took on a blue-black color I have
confirmed my hypothesis that the IKI would move across the membrane into the bag, reacting
with the starch. Also, since the glucose reading after the experiment was completed was equal
on both sides of the membrane, I have confirmed my hypothesis that the glucose would move
equally across the membrane until both were isotonic.

Sadly, due to the fact that we did not take the appropriate time recommended by the
lab manual, we cannot be sure that are results are accurate. To improve this I would suggest
that the lab only be undertaken under ideal conditions; meaning that you should perfectly
understand the procedure and have enough time to allow for error and misunderstanding
between team members.

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Ricardo Perez AP Biology Period 6 Lab Report

Citations- Activity A: Diffusion

Lab #1 Diffusion and Osmosis (College Board, 2001)

AP® Biology Lab Manual for Students (2001) New Jersey: College Board. P. S-1-S-4

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Ricardo Perez AP Biology Period 6 Lab Report

Questions- Activity A: Diffusion

Indicate on Figure 2 the initial locations (inside or outside of the nag) of all the kinds of
molecules that are available for diffusion through the dialysis membrane.

For each of the molecules you list on figure 2,

predict in the space provided their overall (net) diffusion:
into the bag, out of the bag, both into and out of the bag
equally, or none (will not diffuse across the dialysis
membrane). Give a reason for each prediction.

H2O- The H2O will most likely move from freely

through the membrane, both into and out of the bag,
equally.

IKI- Due to the IKI’s individual atom sizes, I presume that it will go into the dialysis bag.
Furthermore, since it reacts with the starch we believe it will continue to flow into the bag until
all of it has reacted with the starch or each side of the membrane has equal amounts of IKI.

Starch- Since starch is a large molecule, it will most likely not go through the membrane.

Glucose- Glucose is a pretty small molecule so I believe it will flow equally through both
sides of the membrane.

1. Compare your results with your predictions. Do you find any conflicts that would
cause you to revise your predictions? If so, explain.
My predictions were completely confirmed by my results. It is possible though that my
results were offset by the amount of time the solutions were given.
2. Does this activity account for the diffusion of all the molecules that you listed on
figure 2 and in your predictions? If not, what data could have been collected to show
the net direction of diffusion of this molecule or molecules.
This activity accounts for almost every molecule involved except for the water. We could
account for the net direction of diffusion by measuring the weight of the bag before we
submerge it in the IKI solution and then measure it again after the 30 minutes.
3. What does your data tell you about the sizes of the molecules relative to the pore size
of the dialysis tubing?
The results show that every molecule involved was small enough to pass through the
membrane’s pores except for starch. Therefore, all of them were small compared to the
pores except for starch.