Osmosis Egg Lab

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Osmosis and the Cell Membrane of the Egg Introduction: In this lab we will look at how molecules move across the membrane of a cell . Osmosis is the movement of water across a cell membrane. In osmosis the cell membrane is selectively permeable, which allows for the membrane to control what types of substances that passes through. Transportation can either be passive or active. Passive transport does not require the use of added energy to facilitate the transfer where as active transport requires the cell to expend energy. Diffusion is the simplest form of passive transport. Using its own energy molecule will move from areas of higher solute concentrations to areas of lower concentrations until a balance is reached. Osmosis is also a form of passive transport. Osmosis occurs when water molecules diffuse across the cell membrane from an area of higher solute concentration to an area of lower solute concentration. There are three relative concentrations of solutions. Hypertonic solutions yield a higher concentration than that of the cell. Hypotonic solutions have a lower concentration and isotonic solution has an equal concentration. (Martini, 2011). (Science Fair-Plant and Animal Tonicity) The vinegar, an acid, demineralized the shell to reveal a thin membrane similar to that of a cells membrane. In the water solution the molecules moved across the membranes at an equal rate where as in the syrup there was an unequal rate. Procedure: Two eggs were submerged in vinegar , covered, where they remained undisturbed for 48 hours. After the 48 hours the eggs were removed, rinsed and examined. One of the shell-less eggs was then fully covered in water, the other in corn syrup for 24 hours. After 24 hours the eggs were removed and examined. Observations and Results: After being in the vinegar for

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