GROUP NO.

RATING:

MEMBERS: DELA CRUZ, MARY JEAN

DATE: NOVEMBER 23, 2015

MOZO, FAU ANN

PISAN, MARRIE KRIS
SAGUID, REINAH LYN
VERSOZA, JASMINE NIKKI

SUBMITTED TO: PROF. ADOLF ROQUE

EXPERIMENT NO.1: OSMOSIS AND DIFFUSION

Abstract: The cell membrane defines the basic unit of life. In
single-celled organisms, it creates a physical separation
between life and non-life, making an internal environment
possible. This is important because the chemical reactions
necessary for life can occur much more efficiently in an
enclosed volume with the membrane serving as a selective
barrier. That is, it could keep compounds out of the cell that
might be damaging but allow the entry of necessary material.
The main aim of this experiment is to observe the nature of
diffusion and osmosis. Two different set-ups were made to
complete the observation. The first set-up intends to know
the selectivity of a synthetic membrane through the use of
dialysis tubing that make use of longganisa skin as an
alternative. In this set-up experiment the students will
practice a test for starch and for salt. They will assemble a
sealed longganisa skin containing a mixture of salt and
starch solution; they will then test the distilled water in a
beaker for the presence of starch and salt, before placing the
bag into the distilled water in the beaker. Then at the end of
the lab, the students will test the beakers water for the
presence of salt and starch, to see if either substance has
diffused through the longganisa skin into the distilledwater
(ie: to the region of lower salt/starch concentration). On the
other hand, the second set-up is made to determine the
effect of different percentage concentration of salt solution
on plant cells where Elodea plant is used. In this set-up
experiment the students will observed the different types of
osmotic solution - hypotonic, hypertonic, and isotonic.

I.INTRODUCTION
A.

Background of the Study

Diffusion is the passive movement of particles from a region where it is

higher concentration to a region where it is lower concentration. This is also
referred to as the movement of a substance down a concentration gradient. A
gradient is the change in the value of a quantity with the change in another
variable. The word diffusion is derived from the Latin word, "diffundere", which
means "to spread out" (if a substance is spreading out, it is moving from an area
of high concentration to an area of low concentration).
Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a membrane, moving to the side
that has lower water concentration. It is the spontaneous net movement of solvent
molecules through a semi-permeable membrane into a region of higher solute
concentration, in the direction that tends to equalize the solute concentrations on
the two sides. It may also be used to describe a physical process in which any
solvent moves across a semipermeable membrane (permeable to the solvent, but
not the solute) separating two solutions of different concentrations.
In this experiment, diffusion and osmosis will be observed using dialysis
tubing and Hydrilla leaves. Thus, this experiment aims to prove visible
characteristics and differences between diffusion and osmosis.
B. Statement of the Problem
How does a particular type of solution affect the random movement of
molecules within the cell to an area of lower concentration from an area of higher
concentration?
C. Hypothesis
Diffusion and osmosis occur between different molar solutions until the
solutions are isotonic, effecting the turgor pressure of plant cells.
D. Significance of the Study
Osmosis and diffusion are of prime importance in living organisms. The
significance of this experiment is to increment profound understanding of the two
processes. Thus, this experiment will come up on how these processes greatly
influence the distribution of nutrients and the release of metabolic waste products
of the living cells of both plants and animals.
E. Scope and Limitations
This experiment can only observe osmosis and diffusion within plant cells.
Although these processes are also applicable to animal cell as well, this
experiment can only accumulate possible data from the given specimen and
materials which are the hydrilla leaves and different types of solutions.

II. METHODOLOGY
SET-UP 1: Hydrila Plant
In this experiment, our professor, Sir Roque, assigned different
percentage of solution for each groups and well just share the data we have gathered.
Our group was assigned to use 5% sodium chloride solution. For this experiment, we
used only one (1) leaf of hyrdrilla. We placed the leaf on the slide and put 2 drops of 5%
solution on it and set aside for five (5) minutes. While waiting for the 5 minutes, we
focused the microscope, at first, it was very difficult to find light but eventually we
succeeded. After 5 minutes, we mounted the leaf poured with the solution, put it in the
microscope and observed what happened to the cells. After all our classmates have
seen the specimen, we were asked to pour two (2) drops of distilled water on the
specimen and again, observe what will happen to the cells.

SET- UP 2: Longganisa Skin

For this experiment, we prepared the following: longganisa skin, Lead
solution, iodine solution, 6 test tubes, and distilled water. First, we cut 6 inches long
longganisa skin and knotted it tightly with 1 inch margin from the end of the longganisa
skin. After that, we filled it with 15 mL of (7.5 mL 0.5 % starch & 7.5 mL 1% sodium
chloride) solution. We squeezed the air and tied off the end with measurement from the
end just like what we did on the other side. Remember: it is important that none of the
air stays inside the longganisa skin, because it may affect your experiment in the next
procedure. After tying the skin, we filled a 250 mL beaker about 2/3 full of distilled water.
Before putting the tied skin in the beaker, we washed its exterior with distilled water and
waited for about 1 hour. After waiting, we put 5 mL of water in two test tubes from the
250 mL beaker. We tested the two samples for the presence of chloride and starch. In
the first test tube we put 3 drops of 0.1 M lead solution while in the second test tube put
8 drops of iodine solution, then we observed. While waiting for the result of the first two
samples, we conduct a trial test using the solution of starch and sodium chloride left
repeating what is done from the first two samples and then recorded the results. After
waiting for one (1) hour, we tested again the beakers water, where the skin has been
put, and again repeat what is done from the other samples. We observed and record
the results.

III.DATA AND RESULTS

Table 1: Results of Chloride and Starch Testing
Test Samples
Cl-test with
Distilled Water
whitish solution
Salt solution
whitish solution
Starch solution
less cloud

Starch test with

clear to yellow/orange
clear to yellow/orange
cloud to deep blue

Table 2. Testing Chloride and Starch in the Beaker Water

Water Sample before Water Sample after expt.
expt.
Test Reagent
Test Tube Test Tube Test Tube 1 Test Tube 2
1
2
0.1
M Silver whitish
whitish
cloud
cloud
Nitrate
0.1 M Iodine
yellow
yellow
reddish
reddish
brown
brown
Table 3. Appearance of Elodea Cells in various Salt Solutions and Subsequently
in distilled water.
0% NaCl
1% NaCl
3% NaCl
4% NaCl
5% NaCl

In
these
various
Salt
Solutio
ns

In the
subseq
uent
distille
d
water
soak

IV. DISCUSSION OF RESULT

In this experiment, diffusion and osmosis will be observed using dialysis tubing
and Elodea plant. By definition, diffusion is the passive movement of particles from a
region where it is higher concentration to a region where it is lower concentration while
osmosis is the diffusion of water across a membrane, moving to the side that has lower
water concentration.
Set up 1
The results of this set up shows that the component inside did diffuse through the
longganisa skin into the water in the beaker. This is confirmed by the presence of white
precipitate when lead nitrate is added to a sample of beaker water.
Were their changes observed in the water sample? If there are, what
causes the change in the component of water sample?
Yes there are changes observed in the water sample. Osmosis and diffusion causes the
change in the component of water sample. Osmosis is the net flow of water across a
semi-permeable membrane due to changes in solute concentrations. The longganisa
skin serve as the semi permeable membrane. Diffusion occurs when there is a higher
concentration of a dissolved substance on one side of a semi-permeable membrane
than on the other. Inside the longganisa skin has greater concentration thats why some
component inside the longganisa skin moves out.
What is the component of the water sample after the experiment? How will
you prove your answer?
The water sample contains small percentage of chloride ions and starch. After
the the CI test with lead nitrate the distilled water and salt solution changes immediately
into a whitish solution and the starch solution became less cloud. After the Starch test
with I2 there is a change in color among the solutions- the distilled water and salt
solution change from clear to yellow orange and the starch solution from clear to deep
blue
Why it is important to wash the dialysis tubing before placing in the
beaker?
We need to Rinse the dialysis tube bag thoroughly under running water so that
there is no trace of starch & sodium chloride solution on the outside of the dialysis bag
that will affect the result of the experiment.
Into what organ in the body can you compare the function of the dialysis
tube in this experiment? Elaborate your choice.
Kidneys are organs in the body that can be compare the function of the dialysis
tube. It functions in removing solutes and toxins from the blood, is actually not as
complex as one might imagine. In fact, the mechanism by which dialysis works involves
simple diffusion and osmosis. Skin the largest organ also serves the same function
thats why when we are on the sea for so long our skin wrinkles. Another proof is when
sweating.

Set-up 2
In this set up, it shows the Appearance of Elodea Cells in various salt solutions.
At 0% solution the cell wall is still normal and visible as the concentration of salt
increases spaces are observe because water inside the cytoplasm moves out and the
organelles are moving closer to each other. When distilled water are added the cell
starts to go back to its normal view in the microscope however if the concentration
reach 5% elodea cell reach the threshold where it no longer reverse the process.
In what % NaCl have you seen a most significant change in the Elodea cell?
Why is this so?
Elodea leaf at 5% of salt solution. Elodea is a fresh water plant and it
plasmolyzed significantly in this solution. Plasmolysis would occur because the high
concentration of salt outside the cells would cause the diffusion of water from within the
cell to outside the cells.
If normal Elodea plant cell is put directly into distilled water
a. in which direction is the movement of water?
Both direction inside and outside the cell.
b. Is isotonicity ever attained?Explain clearly and fully why or why not?
Yes because the inside and outside the cell has the same solute
concentration as another solution, the cytoplasm in this case, will not gain or lose water
because water molecules will enter and leave the cell at equal rates.
A red blood cell is basically a bag of hemoglobin. Water but not
hemoglobin can flow freely across the membrane. If a red blood cell were placed
into distilled water, what would happen and what would be the ultimate outcome
due to the process of osmosis?
If a red blood cell were placed into distilled water to blood on a microscope slide,
the cells will look bigger after a few seconds. These are the two explanations:
Molecules such as protein and polysaccharides are more concentrated inside the
cell than outside the cell when the cell is in distilled water. These molecules therefore
begin to move out of the cell because of the process of diffusion but are blocked by the
cell membrane. As a result, these molecules push on the cell membrane and make the
cell appear bigger.
Water molecules move into the cell because the concentration of water is greater
outside the cell than it is inside the cell. As a result, water fills the cell and makes it
appear bigger
Were you able to detect threshold of dehydration in elodea cells beyond
the cells can no longer reverse the process? If so what was it?
Observation of plasmolysis when the leaf is flooded with 5%salt water.
Cell death thresholds were determined for three cell populations in the leaves for
each frequency. The intensity thresholds were strongly dependent on frequency, and
the minimum threshold for each population generally occurred near the expected
resonance frequency of the gas bodies associated with each population.

In medical laboratory, water is used to study the component of blood cells

using hemolysis. How would you account for the hemolyzing effect of water?
A series of water-soluble fullerene C60 derivatives has been investigated for
their cytotoxic and hemolytic properties, with the aim to correlate structure with toxicity.
They observed that cationic chains induce significant toxicity while the presence of
neutral or anionic moieties did not produce any response in our model. A validation of
these experimental observations has been performed by theoretical studies in which
hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface areas were correlated quantitatively with hemolytic
properties.Hemolysis of the red cells increases due to processing and during storage
and is maximum during the first week. Adequate process control and proper storage
facilities should be ensured to minimize the hemolysis of red cells during processing
and storage
Water enters the cell in response to increased osmotic pressure from
solutes entering the cell, but it penetrates more readily than most solutes.
The rate at which water enters reflects the rate at which solutes enter. The hemoglobin
is packed tightly within the erythrocytes. These cells are suspended in the plasma,
which makes the blood opaque. When the hemoglobin is released, it dissolves in the
plasma. The membranous ghosts are empty and the blood appears transparent.
The water will flow into the cells. The NaCl will not enter the cell. The cell membranes
are not broken during hemolysis-the intact membranes (ghosts) remain.