ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

Angeles City

College of Allied Medical Professions MTChem2 Laboratory

Department of Medical Technology Biochemistry for Medical Laboratory Science

EXPERIMENT 1: Membrane Transport

INTRODUCTION:
The cell membrane or plasma membrane forms the outer limit of a cell. This
structure is composed of approximately 55% proteins, 25% phospholipids, 13%
cholesterol, 3% carbohydrates and 4% other forms of lipids.
The cell membrane is a semi-permeable structure indicating its ability to select
molecules and ions that will be able to pass through it. It regulates the flow of
biomolecules and allows two-way traffic of nutrients and wastes inside and outside of the
cell. Substances and signals, therefore, move across the membrane in highly controlled
ways.

COMMONLY ENCOUNTERED MEMBRANE TRANSPORT MECHANISMS

DIFFUSION
Diffusion is the movement of molecules or ions from an area of higher solute
concentration to an area of lower solute concentration. Diffusion rate is measured by the
number of diffusing molecules passing through the membrane per unit time. The rate at
which a substance diffuses depends on three factors: (1) the magnitude of the
concentration difference across the membrane. (2) size and shape of the particles of the
solute and (3) temperature. Increase in temperature increases the rate of diffusion
because of the increase in the kinetic energy of molecules.

OSMOSIS
Osmosis refers to the movement of solvent from an area of higher concentration to
an area of lower concentration. In this process, the solvent molecules move from the
solution that is more dilute to the solution in which there is a higher solute concentration.
Osmotic pressure is higher in a solution with higher solute concentration. Therefore,
movement of solvent stops when equal osmotic pressure is achieved on both sides of
the semi-permeable membrane.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the activity, the student shall be able:
1. Observe the mechanism of some types of biological transport processes;
2. Identify the relevance of osmosis, diffusion, and dialysis with the selective
permeability of the cell membrane.

MATERIALS:
Test tubes, test tube rack, beakers, droppers, graduated cylinders, glass funnel,
water bath, hot plate

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 ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
Angeles City

College of Allied Medical Professions MTChem2 Laboratory

Department of Medical Technology Biochemistry for Medical Laboratory Science

REAGENTS:
1. Potassium permanganate crystals
2. Saline solution (0.1%; 0.9%; 25%)
3. Sodium sulfate powder
4. Concentrated Nitric Acid
5. Fehling’s A; Fehling’s B solution
6. Barium chloride solution

MATERIALS TO BRING FOR THE EXPERIMENT:

1. Medium sized potato
2. Colorless cellophane
3. Small box/can of fresh milk
4. Plastic knife
5. Ruler
6. String/rubber band

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:
A. Diffusion
1. Place 150 mL of water into two 250 mL beakers.
2. Warm the contents of one beaker.
3. Place 2 crystals of potassium permanganate into each beaker
simultaneously.
4. Compare and observe the rate of diffusion of the solute.

B. Osmosis
1. Wash and peel a medium sized potato.
2. Carefully cut 4 potato cylinders (10mm x 10mm x 25mm) using a knife from
the middle part of the potato
3. Put each potato cylinder in three small beakers containing 50 mL saline
solution with different concentrations (0.1%, 0.9% and 25%) respectively.
4. After 30 minutes, remove the potatoes from the saline solution and measure
the dimensions of each potato cylinder and compare them with their original
dimensions.

C. Dialysis
1. Soak 1 square foot of cellophane in water for 3-5 minutes.
2. Flute the cellophane into a glass funnel.
3. Mix 50 mL of liquid milk and 5 g of Sodium sulfate in a beaker.
4. Fill the fluted cellophane with the milk-sodium sulfate mixture.
5. Get the edges of the cellophane filled with milk and tie with a string leaving
some air space above the milk.

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 ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
Angeles City

College of Allied Medical Professions MTChem2 Laboratory

Department of Medical Technology Biochemistry for Medical Laboratory Science

6. Place the bag into a 500 mL beaker and suspend it almost touching the
bottom.
7. Fill the beaker with distilled water equal to the level of milk.
8. Carefully stir the water in the beaker to let the milk dialyze.
9. Test the dialysate for proteins, sugar, and salt.

Test for Proteins (Heller’s Test)

1. Place 2 mL of the dialysate in a test tube.
2. Tilt the tube and carefully add 2 mL of concentrated Nitric acid.
(Be careful in handling concentrated nitric acid!!!)
3. Position the test tube upright WITHOUT SHAKING and note the color of the
ring formed.

Test for Reducing Sugars (Fehling’s Test)

1. Mix 1 mL of Fehling’s A and 1 mL of Fehling’s B.
2. Add 1 mL of dialysate and warm over a water bath for 5-10 minutes.
3. Note any changes in color.

Test for Salts

1. Place 5 mL of the dialysate in a clean test tube.
2. Add 1 mL of Barium chloride.
3. Observe and note any changes.

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 ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
Angeles City

College of Allied Medical Professions MTChem2 Laboratory

Department of Medical Technology Biochemistry for Medical Laboratory Science

EXPERIMENT 1: MEMBRANE TRANSPORT

Name/s: Date:

Instructor/s:
Section: Score:

DATA & RESULTS

A. Diffusion

Water at Room Temperature Warm Water

Rate of Diffusion

B. Osmosis

% of Saline Solution Type of Solution Dimensions after Interpretation

(Isotonic/ soaking
Hypotonic/
Hypertonic)
0.1%

0.9%

25%

C. Dialysis

Test Performed Observation

Test for Proteins
Test for Sugar
Test for Salts

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 ANGELES UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
Angeles City

College of Allied Medical Professions MTChem2 Laboratory

Department of Medical Technology Biochemistry for Medical Laboratory Science

QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH

1. What is diffusion? How does temperature affect the rate of diffusion?

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2. What is osmosis? Briefly explain what happened with the potato cylinders when placed in
solutions with different concentrations.
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3. Illustrate and describe the probable appearance of an RBC when placed in hypotonic,
hypertonic, and isotonic solutions.

HYPOTONIC HYPERTONIC ISOTONIC

References: (APA Citation)

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