Investigating the effect of temperature on cell membranes

Prediction The higher the temperature the more permeable the cell membrane will become Method Independent variable: the temperature. This is changed using water baths set to different temperatures Dependent variable: the % absorbency measured using a colorimeter Control variables: the amount of water put in the test tubes - the size, volume and surface area, of the beetroot - the length of time left in the water bath - the volume of liquid put into the cuvette 1 Cut sections from a single beetroot using a size 4-cork borer. Cut eight 1 cm length slices from these sections. Be careful not to spill beetroot juice on your skin or clothing, as it will stain very badly. 2 Place the slices in a beaker of distilled water. Leave overnight to wash away excess dye. 3 Next day, place eight labeled boiling tubes each containing 5 cm3 distilled water into water baths at 0 C, 10 C, 20 C, 30 C, 40 C, 50 C, 60 C and 70 C. Leave for 5 minutes until the water reaches the required temperature. Place one of the beetroot sections into each of the boiling tubes. Leave for 30 minutes in the water baths. 4 Decant the liquid into a second boiling tube or remove beetroot sections using a technique that does not squeeze the slice e.g. spear with a pointed seeker. Shake the water/solution to disperse the dye. 5 Switch on the colorimeter and set it to read % absorbance. 6 Set the filter dial to the blue/green filter. 7 Using a pipette accurately, measure 2 cm3 distilled water into a cuvette. Place the cuvette into the colorimeter; making sure that the light is shining through the smooth sides. 8 Adjust the colorimeter to read 0 absorbance for clear water. Do not alter the setting again during the experiment. 9 Place 2 cm3 of the dye solution into a colorimeter cuvette and take a reading for absorbency. Repeat the readings for all the temperatures.
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Safety: wear lab coat to prevent the beetroot from staining clothes, safety glass to protect eyes Results: % Absorbency Temperature C 0 20 30 40 50 60 70 1 0 0 0.05 0.4 0 0.6 1.3 2 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.5 0.2 0.7 0.85 3 0 0 0.05 0.5 0.1 0.4 0.9 4 0 0 0.05 0.6 1.3 5 0 0 0.05 0.4 Average 0.01 0.01 0.05 0.48 0.57 1.09

Conclusion As the temperature increased, the percentage absorbency also increased- it is directly proportional. Therefore as the temperature was increased, the fluid leaking out from the beetroot also decreased. The first three temperatures didnt do much to the permeability of the membranes as the percent absorbency is between 0 and 0.05%. After 40C, the percentage absorbency started to increase, which means the permeability of the membrane of the beetroot, also increased. The experiment wasnt very accurate as the 5cm3 was measured using a syringe accurate to 0.5 cm3 therefore the reading could be anywhere between 4.5 cm3 and 5.5 cm3 . Also, the time the beetroot was left in the water varied between the temperatures as some people left theirs in longer than others due to the lack of time left at the end of the lesson, therefore in some experiments the beetroot was exposed to the water longer, which meant that the membrane could become more permeable. By taking 5 readings we can ensure reliability of the experiment, as the results were repeatable, the calculation of the average allows us to find the best estimate for each of the individual temperatures. Also the water baths were maintained using hot water and ice, this meant the temperature didnt stay at the expected temperature it fluctuated, it

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wasnt constant which could mean the cell membrane didnt become as permeable as it should have under the temperatures. Discussion When exposed to high enough temperatures, the phosopholipid bilayer of the cell membrane and the vacuole will disrupt, this makes the cell permeable and allows for fluid to leak out of the cells in the beetroot therefore turning the water red. As the temperature increased, the greater the disruption or damage done to the membranes, this would result in a greater amount of fluid released from the beetroot cells in the set amount of time. Evaluation If we did the experiment again, we would have to use a more reliable method of maintaining the water baths at a constant temperature rather than having to top up with hot water or add ice cubes to the water. Also, ensure that enough time is allowed so that the cell membrane of the beetroot is exposed to the temperatures for long enough to have the full effect.

Rebecca Tanner 12G