Exercise 5 : Cell Transport

E. Osmosis in Red Blood Cells

Submitted by:
Renz Algenio, Arianne Tan, Aloysius Bresnan, Joseph Chang, JR Castro


I. Abstract

The study aims to find the effect of osmosis in cells. The researchers aim to
answer as to how osmosis works and what are the different effects of different kinds of
solutions to cells. In this exercise, the researchers used red blood cells and varying
concentrations of NaCl solution, namely 0.07M, 0.15M and 0.30M. Three setups were
made wherein each set up was exposed to a specific concentration of NaCl solution. All
setups were observed for one hour and each setup produced different results. In this
exercise it was found out that the manipulation of the concentration of solutions affects
osmosis in red blood cells.

II. Introduction

As the basic unit of life, a cell has its own way to self-perpetuate. This may range
from cell division, cellular respiration, up to the transport of different materials needed
for these processes. One example of such process is osmosis that occurs inside of the
cell. Osmosis is the net movement of a solvent, usually water, through a semi-permeable
membrane. In this experiment, red blood cells were used to observe this process of
osmosis. This is made possible by manipulating the concentration levels of the solution
containing these RBCs.

III. Methodology

The researchers extracted blood from a volunteer. Three drops of blood should be
extracted and be placed in glass slides. The glass slides should be labeled A, B and C and
each glass slide should have one drop of blood. Then add a drop of NaCl solution for
each slide. Add 0.07M to slide A, 0.15M to slide B and 0.30M to slide C. After tha
addition of NaCl solutions, each set up would be observed for one hour at five minute
intervals.










Pictures:


Fig 1 - Extracting of blood Fig 2 Placing of blood on a slide


Fig 3 Observing of blood under a microscope

IV. Results

The table below shows the result of the relative size of each set up as per 20-
minute interval. This is compared to the initial appearance of the red blood cell.


Set-Up After 20 mins After 40 mins After 1 hour
A = + ++
B = = =
C = - --
Legend:
+ - bigger as compared to initial
- - smaller as compared to initial
= equal as compared to initial

Pictures:
Set-Up A:


Fig 4 Set-Up A initial observation Fig 5 Set-Up A after 20 mins


Fig 6 Set-Up A after 40 mins Fig 7 Set-Up A after 1 hour










Set-Up B


Fig 8 Set-Up B initial observation Fig 9 Set-Up B after 20 mins


Fig 10 Set-Up B after 40 mins Fig 11 Set-Up B after 55 mins to 1 hour











Set-Up C


Fig 12 Set-Up C initial observation Fig 13 Set-Up C after 20 mins


Fig 14 Set-Up C after 40 mins Fig 15 Set-Up C after 55 mins to 1 hour

V. Discussion

For the first set-up, which is set-up A that was added with 0.07M, the cells tend to
increase in size after some time. This result continues to be seen up to the last minute of
observation. With this, it could be concluded that the cell in set-up A is in a hypotonic
solution where in the water goes inside the cell because the amount of solute is higher
there compared to the to outside the cell. This happens so that there would be equilibrium
in the set-up. This explains the increase in size of the cell.


For the second set-up, which is set-up B that was added with 0.15M, the cells tend
to remain the same as time goes by. This result continues to be seen up to the last minute
of observation. With this result, we could conclude that the cell is exposed to an isotonic
solution wherein the amount of solute is equal inside and outside the cell and the water
goes in and out at the same rate.

For the third set-up, which is set-up C that was added with 0.30M, the cells tend
to shrink after some time and it is also seen that the red blood cells tend to move around.
This result continues to be seen up to the last minute of observation. With this, we could
conclude that the cell is exposed to a hypertonic solution wherein the amount or
concentration of solute is greater outside the cell than inside the cell. This means that
water moves outside the cell so that equilibrium would be maintained. This would
explain the shrinking or shriveling of the cell.