Name:_______________________________________ Course:____________________ Score:

Date:________________________________________Group No:__________________

ACTIVITY 4
DIFFUSION AND OSMOSIS

The cell of living organism are enclosed by a cell membranes which are semi-permeable and
responsible for a number of cell functions. Semipermeable membranes are those that allows only
certain materials to pass through them. They play specific and vital roles in the passage of substances in
and out of the cell. Cell membranes also regulate substances and the rates at which they enter ans leave
the cell. All cells in the body continually exchange chemicals (e.g.,nutrients, waste products, and ions)
with the external fluid surrounding them. This external fluid, in turn, exchanges chemicals with the
blood being pumped throughout the body. A dominant mode of exchange between these fluids (cellular
fluid, external fluid, and blood) is diffusion through membrane channels, due to a concentration
gradient associated with the contents of the fluids.

Diffusion is the net passive movement of particles (atoms, ions or molecules) from a region in
which they are in higher concentration to regions of lower concentration. It continues until the
concentration of substances is uniform throughout. Diffusion is possible because of kinetic motion or
random movements and collision of the molecules.

Osmosis is the net movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of
lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. It is worthwhile to note that the
net flow or direction in osmosis always makes the more concentrated solution more dilute. Osmosis is
important in many biological processes, and it often takes place at the same time that solutes diffuse or
are transported. 

Objectives:
1. To demonstrate diffusion across the semi-permeable membrane.
2. To differentiate hypotonic, hypertonic and isotonic environments.
3. To discuss the biological importance of osmosis and diffusion.

Materials:
Diffusion
Distilled water String
5%(w/v) Starch solution 500mL Beaker
Iodine Cellophane (Ordinary cellophane used in making ice candy)
Osmosis
medicine droppers 0.9% NaCl solution
glass slides distilled water
microscope 3% NaCl solution
test tubes fresh (uncoagulated) blood
graduated cylinder 70% alcohol
cover slips cotton
sterile lancet

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Procedure:
A. Diffusion through a Semi-permeable Membrane.
1. Soak the cellophane in water for about 30minutes or until it becomes soft and pliable.
2. Fill the cellophane half-full with starch solution.
3. Tie the cellophane tightly. Make sure that it is secure and there is no leak.
4. Rinse the cellophane gently with distilled water to ensure it is not contaminated with starch. Set
it aside.
5. Fill the beaker with 300mL distilled water and mix it with 3mL of iodine.
6. Immerse the cellophane with starch sample into the beaker containing the iodine solution. Let it
stand for 15minutes.
7. While waiting for diffusion to occur, test the reaction of the starch with iodine by placing a small
amount of the starch solution in a watch glass and adding a drop of iodine in it. Observe the
color change. Record the results Table 4.1b.
8. After 15 minutes, observe the color of the solution in the beaker and in the cellophane.
9. Record the results in table 4.1a.

B. Osmosis
1. Prepare 3 test tubes and number each test tube.
2. Place 2mL of 0.9% NaCl to test tube 1, then 2mL of distilled water to test tube 2 and 2mL of
0.3% NaCl solution to test tube 3.
3. Then add 3 drops of fresh (uncoagulated) human blood in each test tube. Mix gently to
prepare a red blood cell suspension.
4. Allow them to stand for about 5 minutes.
5. Get two drops of red blood cell suspension from every test tube and place separately in three
microscope slides (Do not forget to label the slides). Place cover slip on top of each of the
suspension on the slide.
6. Examine the three specimens under high power objective (HPO).
7. Record observations in the table 4.2.

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Name:_______________________________________ Course:____________________ Score:
Date:________________________________________Group No:__________________

ACTIVITY 4 PRE LAB OUTPUT:

Reminders: Answer & submit this on the day that is given by the instructor.

Create a Schematic Diagram from the Procedure Above:

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Guide Questions:
1. Explain the 3 types of Osmotic solution?
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2. Give at least 3 examples of IV Fluid per osmotic solution and their uses/ indication.
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3. Give the application of Diffusion and Osmosis in the human body and in daily activities.
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4. How does an artificial kidney machine works?
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5. Why is there less blood flow to the brain during a state of “shock”? During an incidence of shock
syndrome, what happen to the blood capillaries?
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REFERENCES:
General Data Protection Regulation(GDPR) Guidelines BYJU’S. (2021, March 22). BYJUS.

Retrieved August 31, 2022, from https://byjus.com/biology/osmosis/#:%7E:text=Osmotic

%20Solutions,Hypotonic%20Solution

15.3 Intravenous Solutions – Nursing Fundamentals. (n.d.). Pressbooks. Retrieved August 31,

2022, from https://wtcs.pressbooks.pub/nursingfundamentals/chapter/15-3-intravenous-

solutions/

Applications of Diffusion and Osmosis in our Daily Life Activities · Diffusion and Osmosis.

(n.d.). Applications of Diffusion and Osmosis in Our Daily Life Activities. Retrieved

August 31, 2022, from https://qknowbooks.gitbooks.io/jhs_2_science-diffusion-and-

osmosis/content/applications_of_diffusion_and_osmosis_in_our_daily.html

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Date:________________________________________Group No:__________________

Hemodialysis. (2022, February 25). National Kidney Foundation. Retrieved August 31, 2022,

from https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/hemodialysis

Low Blood Pressure. (2022, March 24). NHLBI, NIH. Retrieved August 31, 2022, from

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/low-blood-pressure

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Name:_______________________________________ Course:____________________ Score:
Date:________________________________________Group No:__________________

ACTIVITY 4 POST LAB OUTPUT

Reminders: Answer & submit this activity after actual experiment.

(Must be printed and answer in handwritten)

Results: (Note: The answer should be based on the actual experiment)

Table 4. 1.a Diffusion through a Semi-permeable Membrane.
Observation
Before Immersion After 15 minutes of Immersion
Starch solution in the cellophane

Iodine in the beaker

Table 4.1.b Reaction of Starch to Iodine Solution

Starch in Iodine Solution

Table 4.2. Osmosis

Solutions Observe Shape of Red Blood Cells Drawing
Test Tube 1: 0.9% NaCl
(Isotonic)

Test Tube 2: Distilled Water

(Hypotonic)

Test Tube 3: 3% NaCl

(Hypertonic)

Conclusion

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Name:_______________________________________ Course:____________________ Score:
Date:________________________________________Group No:__________________

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Biochemistry Laboratory| ACT 4 | 7