Membrane Diffusion Lab
In this investigation, you will explore the process of diffusion across a semi-permeable cell membrane.
Part 1:
1. Go to the following website: http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/membrane-channels
2. Click “Run Now” (bright green)
3. Add 5 blue “Gated Channels” – space them out evenly
a. Make sure the channels are closed
4. Let the green dots represent solute (like salt) and the blue diamonds represent water molecules
5. Add 20 green dots and 20 blue diamonds into the top section of the cell (let this be the inside of the cell)
6. Add 40 blue diamonds to the bottom section of the cell (let this be the outside of the cell)
7. Is the cell “hypotonic”, “hypertonic” or “isotonic” to the surrounding fluid? Explain.
The cell is isotonic because there is an even amount of water and solutes
8. You are about to open both of the channels at the same time, what do you expect to happen?
I expect the water on the outside of the cell to start to go inside the cell because its attracted to the salt
9. Open both types of channels at the same time and begin a timer for 15 seconds.
10. After 15 seconds, pause the simulation and count how many green dots and blue diamonds are one each
side of the cell membrane.
Inside of Cell (top of simulation) Outside of cell (bottom of simulation)
Water molecules Water molecules
Solute (green dots) Solute (green dots)
(blue diamonds) (blue diamonds)
0 seconds 20 20 0 40
15 Seconds 20 27 0 33
30 Seconds 20 34 0 26
45 Seconds 20 27 0 33
60 Seconds 20 28 0 32
11. If you could see this cell and could watch this happen, what would you see the cell do?
You would see the cell the cell would look healthy and no visible changes
Part 2:
12. Click the “Clear Particles” icon
13. Add 20 green dots and 40 blue diamonds into the top section of the cell (let this be the inside of the cell)
14. Add 20 blue diamonds to the bottom section of the cell (let this be the outside of the cell)
15. Is the cell “hypotonic”, “hypertonic” or “isotonic” to the surrounding fluid? Explain.
Hypotonic because there is less solutes than there is water
16. You are about to open both of the channels at the same time, what do you expect to happen?
I expect the water in the cell to go to the water on the outside to try and even it out.
17. Open both types of channels at the same time and begin a timer for 15 seconds.
18. After 15 seconds, pause the simulation and count how many green dots and blue diamonds are one each
side of the cell membrane.
Inside of Cell (top of simulation) Outside of cell (bottom of simulation)
Solute (green Water molecules Solute (green Water molecules (blue
dots) (blue diamonds) dots) diamonds)
0 seconds 20 40 0 20
15 Seconds 20 35 0 25
30 Seconds 20 26 0 34
45 Seconds 20 27 0 33
60 Seconds 20 30 0 30
19. If you could see this cell and could watch this happen, what would you see the cell do?
The cell would be visibly swollen
Part 3:
20. Click the “Clear Particles” icon
21. Add 20 green dots and 40 blue diamonds into the top section of the cell (let this be the inside of the cell)
22. Add 40 blue diamonds to the bottom section of the cell (let this be the outside of the cell)
23. Is the cell “hypotonic”, “hypertonic” or “isotonic” to the surrounding fluid? Explain.
Hypertonic because there is more water outside the cell then soultes
24. You are about to open both of the channels at the same time, what do you expect to happen?
I expect the water to even out and go outside the cell
25. Open both types of channels at the same time and begin a timer for 15 seconds.
26. After 15 seconds, pause the simulation and count how many green dots and blue diamonds are one each
side of the cell membrane.
Inside of Cell (top of simulation) Outside of cell (bottom of simulation)
Solute (green Water molecules Solute (green Water molecules
dots) (blue diamonds) dots) (blue diamonds)
0 seconds 20 40 0 40
15 Seconds 20 49 0 31
30 Seconds 20 48 0 33
45 Seconds 20 56 0 24
60 Seconds 20 46 0 34
27. If you could see this cell and could watch this happen, what would you see the cell do?
The cell would be shriveled an small
28. Construct a graph. But, before you do, answer the following questions:
a. What do you think is the important information to graph?
The water inside the graph compared to outside
b. Is the data you chose to graph, relevant to our lab?
Yes
c. What type of graph should you create (i.e. line graph, bar graph, pie chart, etc.)? Why?
Line graph because it will show the pattern of how the water goes
29. What can you learn by looking at your graph?
We can learn about how the cell changes in the water levels over time
30. Use your graph to make a claim about this investigation.
The water outside of the cell always seems to decline. Almost all the time most of the water goes into
the cell
