Cell Transport Lab Report
Instructions: There are two options for completing the lab. You can either complete the lab at
home over the course of three days or watch the teacher-led video and record your observations.
Links to the hands-on lab and video observation lab are on the assessment page.
Title: Cell Transport
Objective(s): The objective is to see what happens to the egg in 72 hours
Hypothesis: I think that the shell of the egg will start to crack.
Variables:
Independent Variable: the egg is measured every 24 hours
Dependent Variable: The circumference
Controlled Variable: cm is used every time
Materials:
Raw egg
String or thread or yarn
Ruler
White vinegar
Tap water
Jar with lid (like a mayonnaise jar or something big enough to put the egg in)
Procedure:
1. Before beginning the experiment, record at least two observations of the raw egg in your
lab report.
2. Wrap the string around the center of the egg to determine its initial circumference.
Measure the string and record the initial circumference in centimeters (cm).
3. Gently wrap the egg in the jar and completely cover the egg with vinegar. Use the lid to
seal the jar and note the time. This will be considered the “start time” of the experiment.
4. After approximately 24 hours from the start time, carefully remove the egg from the jar
of vinegar. If the shell has completely dissolved, exposing the inner membrane, move on
to the next step. If not, return the egg to the vinegar until the shell has completely
dissolved.
5. Record at least two observations of the egg.
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6. Measure and record the circumference of the egg, being sure to measure it in the same
way every time you measure circumference.
7. Pour out the vinegar and rinse the jar. Then fill the jar about half full of tap water.
8. Gently place the egg back into the jar, making sure it is completely covered with water.
Use the lid to seal the jar.
9. After a total of 48 hours from the start time, carefully remove the egg from the jar of
water.
10. Make two observations of the raw egg, and measure and record the circumference.
11. Gently place the egg back into the jar, making sure it is completely covered with water.
Use the lid to seal the jar.
12. After a total of 72 hours from the start time, carefully remove the egg from the jar of
water.
13. Make two observations of the raw egg, and measure and record the circumference.
Data and Observations:
Record your observations from the experiment either the hands-on lab or the teacher led video.
Don’t forget to include at least two detailed observations and the measurement of the egg’s
circumference in centimeters.
Time (hours) Observations Circumference (cm)
0 1. normal size 16 cm
2. the outer shell look normal
24 1. it got bigger 17.5 cm
2. the shell is dissolved
48 1. it got even bigger 18 cm
2. the egg has a different color
72 1. and it a lot bigger 19 cm
2. the egg is soft.
Conclusion:
Be sure to answer the following reflection questions as a summary in the conclusion of your lab
report:
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Was your hypothesis correct? Why or why not? It was because the vinegar made the
outer shell crack
How much did the egg change in size? (Answer should be in centimeters) it went up 3 cm
Evaluate the lab and data collected. What type of transport occurred in this lab? Hypotonic
solution Explain your answer, including evidence from your experiment to support your
explanation. Because the concentration of the outer part of the egg is higher than then inside of
the egg which makes the shell crack.
Questions:
Using what you have learned in the lesson and the experiment, answer the following questions in
complete sentences.
1. Consider how lettuce or spinach placed in water becomes firm and crisp. Use what
you have learned about cell membranes to explain this observation. Be sure to
include homeostasis in your explanation. Because of osmosis water moves through the
cells of the lettuce and spinach. Which would make the lettuce and spinach crispy.
2. If you were to continue this experiment by removing the egg from the water and
covering it in corn syrup (a hypertonic solution), what do you think would happen?
Explain your prediction. (If you choose to test your prediction, be sure to allow at
least 24 hours before making your observations. And, of course, handle the egg very
carefully!) My hypothesis is that the syrup would dissolve the shell and that the syrup
will enter the egg. And it will make the egg grow bigger.
3. Equilibrium is when the concentration is the same throughout and entire system.
Explain how a cell reaches equilibrium in all three types of solutions (hypertonic,
hypotonic, and isotonic). Equilibrium is when the concentration is the same
throughout and entire system. Explain how a cell reaches equilibrium in all three
types of solutions (hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic).
1. If a cell is put in the hypotonic solution the ell will lose water and could end up dying
from the loss of water because there’s no water entering the cell.
2. If a cell is put in the hypotonic solution the cell will gain water which could lead to
the cell burst.
3. But if a cell is put in a isotonic solution it will not gain or lose any water because of
the cell surrounding having an equal concentration.
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