The Effect of Different Osmotic Solutions on Simulated Cells DiNucci 1

The Effect of Different Osmotic Solutions on Simulated Cells

Gabby DiNucci
Honors Biology 10 period 5
Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic
April 30, 2018
The Effect of Different Osmotic Solutions on Simulated Cells DiNucci 2

Introduction

Passive Transport is a type of cell transport when particles or molecules move from a high

concentration of pure water to a low concentration of pure water. Passive transport requires no

ATP or extra energy to transport the molecules through the cell membrane. There are three

different types of passive transport; simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and osmosis. Osmosis

is a form of passive transport that deals with the transportation of water. Specifically, it is the

movement of water from a high to low concentration. The cell membrane can not control the

movement of water in and out of the cell due to integral proteins called aquaporin’s. Aquaporin’s

are always open so water molecules are slightly moving in and out of the cell. The cell

membrane is selectively permeable which means that it only lets certain substances pass through

it. There are different osmotic environments that a cell can be placed into. First, a cell can be

placed into a hypotonic environment which means that there is a higher concentration of pure

water outside the cell, than inside the cell. Since water wants to move from high to low

concentration, the water will move into the cell through the cell membrane, which is permeable

to water and is therefore able to pass through. The water moves into the cell in order to balance

out the solute and reach equilibrium within the cell. Equilibrium is when the pure water is equal

inside and outside of the cell. When the water enters inside of the cell in a hypotonic

environment, the cell could burst. Next, an Isotonic environment is what all cells aspire to be in.

This means that the concentration of pure water is equal inside and outside of the cell. In an

isotonic environment there will be a small movement of water both into and out of the cell

because of the open aquaporin’s. Lastly, a cell can be in a hypertonic environment which means

that the concentration of pure water is greater inside the cell than outside the cell so the water

moves outward. In this type of environment, when the water is leaving the cell to reach
The Effect of Different Osmotic Solutions on Simulated Cells DiNucci 3

equilibrium, the cell will shrivel up. By understanding what regulates osmosis, the properties

learned can be applied and used in the real world. For example, a dehydrated person would go to

the hospital and the doctor would hook them up with an IV to hydrate them. This IV would not

be 100% pure water because this would cause the cells to be put into a hypotonic environment

and the cells on the inside of the person would burst, this is called cytolysis. The IV is made up

of mostly pure water, to hydrate the body and make up for the loss of water, but also saline

solution. The saline solution in the IV allows the cells to stay away from cytolysis while keeping

equilibrium in the body. Recognizing osmosis shows a level of complex knowledge that can be

used as an advantage in the real world. Dialysis tubing is a type of semi-permeable membrane

tubing that acts as the cell membrane in the lab. When dialysis tubing is used in the lab, it creates

a simulated cell. Some purposes of this lab were to see the different effects of osmosis in the

different osmotic environments, to help simulate the cell membrane and permeability of the cell

membrane, to see how the rate of osmosis differs in the different concentration gradients, and to

see how the rate of osmosis changes the closer a cell get to equilibrium (Biggs, et al., 2012). Bag

1 filled with 5ml of water was placed into beaker 1 which was filled with 200ml of water. Bag 2

was filled with 5ml of 20% glucose solution and placed in beaker 2 which was filled with 200ml

of water. Bag 3 was filled with 5ml of 40% glucose solution and placed in beaker 3 which was

filled with 200ml of water. Bag 4 was filled with 5ml of 60% glucose solution and placed in

beaker 4 which was filled with 200ml of water. Lastly, bag 5 was filled with 5 ml of water and

bag 6 was filled with 5ml of 80% glucose solution and both simulated cells were placed into

beaker 5 which was filled with 200 ml of 60% glucose solution. Bag 1 represented a simulated

cell in an isotonic environment, which means the concentration of pure water is equal inside the

cell and outside the cell. Bag 2,3, 4, and 6 represented simulated cells in hypotonic environments
The Effect of Different Osmotic Solutions on Simulated Cells DiNucci 4

because there was a higher concentration of pure water outside the cell than inside the cell. In a

hypotonic environment, the water molecules move from a high concentration to a low

concentration in order to reach equilibrium so the water moved into each of the cells (bag 2, 3, 4,

and 6). Bag 5 was placed in a hypertonic environment meaning that there was a higher

concentration of pure water outside the cell than inside the cell, so the water moved out of the

cell. In Part one, the dependent variable was the mass change and the independent variable is the

osmotic solution. In Part two, the dependent variable was the color change and the independent

variable was the location of the starch. In part one, some constants were the temperature of the

solution, the starting amount of 5ml of solution inside each dialysis tube, 200 ml of solution in

each of the beakers, the amount of time each bag was left in the beakers, the way the dialysis

tubing was folded and tied, and how each cell was dried before measuring the mass. The control

group for Part one is beaker 1 because the cell is in an isotonic environment. Beakers 2, 3, 4, and

5 were experimental groups. In part two some controls include the type of starch, the way the

dialysis tubing is folded, the type of iodine, the type of string, the temperature of the water, the

time of day, and the length of time that the bags were in the solution. In part 2 of this lab, the

control group was the simulated cell filled with starch that was white on the inside placed into

water with 20 drops of iodine that was colored yellow. The experimental group was after letting

the cell sit for 24 hours when the inside of the simulated cell was dark purple, and the water was

clear. If a simulated cell filled with 5ml of water is placed into 200ml of water then its mass will

stay relatively the same, with slight increase or decrease in mass due to the movement of water

through aquaporin’s. In part one, if a simulated cell filled with 5ml of 20% glucose solution is

placed into 200ml of water then it will increase mass. If a simulated cell filled with 5ml of 40%

glucose solution is placed into 200ml of water then it will increase in mass. If a simulated cell
The Effect of Different Osmotic Solutions on Simulated Cells DiNucci 5

filled with 5ml of 60% glucose solution is placed into 200ml of water then it will increase in

mass. If a simulated cell filled with 5ml of water is placed into 200ml of 60% glucose solution

then it will decrease in mass. If a simulated cell filled with 5ml of 80% glucose solution is placed

into 200ml of 60% glucose solution then it will increase in mass. In Part two, if a simulated cell

filled with starch and roughly 5 ml of water is placed into water with 20 drops of iodine in it then

the color on the inside of the cell will change from white to dark purple and the water with iodine

in it on the outside of the cell will change from yellow to clear after 24 hours

Materials

 Dialysis tubing

 6 beakers

 Graduated cylinder

 Scale

 String

 Water

 Starch

 Iodine

 Timer

 Pipettes

 Paper towels

 20% glucose solution

 40% glucose solution

 60% glucose solution

 80% glucose solution

The Effect of Different Osmotic Solutions on Simulated Cells DiNucci 6

Procedure

Part 1: Effect of Concentration on Rate of Diffusion

1. Obtain 6 pieces of dialysis tubing that had been soaking in water.

2. Fold one end of the tubing down approximately 1 cm, then fold it across, and then down

again.

3. Tie a knot around the tube with string and make sure the knot is very secure so ensure

that the bag does not leak.

4. Cut away any excess string.

5. After all the dialysis tubes are folded and one end is tied, fill each tube as follows.

Bag 1 5 ml of water

Bag 2 5 ml of 20% glucose solution

Bag 3 5 ml of 40% glucose solution

Bag 4 5 ml of 60% glucose solution

Bag 5 5 ml of water

Bag 6 5 ml of 80% glucose solution

6. After each bag is filled, fold down the other end of dialysis tubing and secure with a knot

and cut away any excess string.

7. Place each bag on a numbered paper towel to avoid mixing them up.

8. Using a scale, measure the mass of each of the bags separately and record the mass in

grams.

9. Fill 4 of the beakers with 200 mL of water and fill the 5th beaker with 200mL of 60%

glucose solution.
The Effect of Different Osmotic Solutions on Simulated Cells DiNucci 7

10. Drop all of the bags into their designated beaker at the same time, and start a timer. Place

bag 1 into beaker 1, bag 2 into beaker 2, bag 3 into beaker 3, bag 4 into beaker 4, and bag

5 and 6 together in beaker 5. (start the timer as soon as the bags are in the beakers)

11. After 3 minutes, take all the bags out of the beakers, dry them off on a paper towel, weigh

them individually, record the change in mass, and place them all back into the designated

beaker at the same time. (start timer again for 3 minutes)

12. Repeat this process 2 more times after 6 minutes has passed, and 9 minutes has passed

(drying them off and weighing them each time).

Part 2: A Selectively Permeable Membrane

1. Obtain dialysis tubing and tie off one end over the fold with a knot. Tie additional knots

to secure the fold.

2. Scoop about a spoonful of starch into the bag along with roughly 5 ml of water.

3. Thoroughly rinse the bag with water to clean off any spills. Pat dry on a paper towel and

place off to the side for a minute.

4. Next, fill a beaker about half way with water and add 20 drops of iodine.

5. Place the simulated cell into the iodine water and record the initial color inside the cell

and inside the beaker in the chart provided in the packet.

6. Let sit for 24 hours.

7. Note any color change in the beaker and bag. Record the colors in the chart (Diffusion

Through Cell Membranes ).

 The Effect of Different Osmotic Solutions on Simulated Cells DiNucci 8

Results:

Table 1: Mass Vs. Time

Time Water in water 20% in water 40% in water 60% in water Water in 60% 80% in 60%

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3 208 317 408 567 -150 241

6 291 534 800 1009 -533 316

9 249 701 1108 1409 -783 399

Table 1: The change in Mass vs. Time in Osmosis

Description: In table one, the time is measured in minutes and the mass is measured in milligrams. The
change in mass of the simulated cells were recorded from 0-3 minutes, 3 -6 minutes, 6-9 minutes in grams.
There was a total of 6 simulated cells. The first simulated cell was filled with 5 ml of water and placed into
200 ml of water. The second simulated cell was filled with 20% glucose solution and placed into 200 ml of
water. The third simulated cell was filled with 40% glucose solution and placed into 200 ml of water. The
fourth simulated cell was filled with 60% glucose solution and placed into 200 ml of water. The fifth
simulated cell was filled with 5 ml of water and placed into 200 ml of 60% glucose solution. The sixth
simulated cell was filled with 80% glucose solution and placed into the same beaker as bag 5 which was
filled with 200 ml of 60% glucose solution. The mass changes from 0-3 minutes, 3-6 minutes, and 6-9
minutes were averaged from all 3 biology classes for each of the 6 simulated cells. Since all of the
simulated cells had different initial masses, in order to make consistent data, it was converted to a starting
mass of zero. From there, the masses for 3, 6, and 9 minutes were calculated by cumulating the change in
mass over time.

Mass Vs. Time

2000

1500
Water in Water
Mass (milligrams)

1000 20% in Water

500 40% in Water
60% in Water
0
0 3 6 9 Water in 60%
-500
80% in 60%
-1000
Time (Minutes)

Figure 1: The change in Mass vs. Time in Osmosis Graph

The Effect of Different Osmotic Solutions on Simulated Cells DiNucci 9

Description: In Figure one, the mass of the simulated cell was measured in milligrams and the
time was measured in minutes. The blue line represents a simulated cell that was filled with 5
ml of water and placed into 200 ml of water. The orange line represents a simulated cell that
was filled with 20% glucose solution and placed into 200 ml of water. The grey line
represents a simulated cell that was filled with 40% glucose solution and placed into 200 ml
of water. The yellow line represents a simulated cell that was filled with 60% glucose solution
and placed into 200 ml of water. The light blue line represents a simulated cell that was filled
with 5 ml of water and placed into 200 ml of 60% glucose solution. The yellow line
represents a simulated cell was filled with 80% glucose solution and placed into the same
beaker as bag 5 which was filled with 200 ml of 60% glucose solution. The mass changes
from 0-3 minutes, 3-6 minutes, and 6-9 minutes were averaged from all 3 biology classes for
each of the 6 simulated cells. Since all of the simulated cells had different initial masses, in
order to make consistent data, it was converted to a starting mass of zero. From there, the
masses for 3, 6, and 9 minutes were calculated by cumulating the change in mass over time.

The results recorded for this lab are represented in Table 1 and Figure 1. The mass changes from

0-3 minutes, 3-6 minutes, and 6-9 minutes were averaged from all 3 biology classes for each of

the 6 simulated cells. Since all of the simulated cells had different masses to begin, in order to

make consistent data, it was converted to a starting mass of zero. Each of the 6 simulated cells

were placed into their designated beakers therefor placing them into osmotic environments. After

3 minutes, bag 1 gained an average of 208 milligrams. After 6 minutes it gained more mass and

now averaged to be 291 grams heavier than initial mass. Lastly after 9 minutes the cell decreased

in mass but was still averaged 249 grams heavier than the initial mass. Bag 2 was placed into

beaker 2 and after 3 minutes the cell increased an average of 317 milligrams, after 6 minutes it

increased again, making it an average of 534 milligrams heavier than its initial mass, and lastly

after 9 minutes the cell increased once again making the cell an average of 701 milligrams

heavier than its initial mass. Bag 3 was placed in beaker 3 and after 3 minutes the cell gained an

average of 408 milligrams, after 6 minutes, it continued to gain now making the cell an average

of 800 milligrams heavier than the initial mass and finally after 9 minutes the cell increased

again making the cell an average of 1108 milligrams heavier than its initial mass. Bag 4 was

placed in beaker 4 and after 3 minutes it gained an average of 567 milligrams, after 6 minutes it
The Effect of Different Osmotic Solutions on Simulated Cells DiNucci 10

increased again making its average 1009 milligrams heavier than the initial mass, and after 9

minutes the cell average was 1409 milligrams heavier than its starting mass. The solution in

beaker 5 was 60% glucose solution. Two simulated cells were placed into this beaker, a water

cell and an 80% glucose solution cell (bag 5 and 6). First, bag 5 decreased an average of 150

milligrams after 3 minutes. It continued to decrease and after 6 minutes it averaged to be 533

milligrams lighter than its initial mass and after 9 minutes it averaged 783 milligrams lighter than

its initial mass. Lastly, bag 6 gained an average of 241 milligrams after 3 minutes and after 6

minutes it continued to grow making it an average of 316 milligrams heavier than its initial mass.

It continued to increase once again and after 9 minutes the cell averaged 399 milligrams heavier

than its initial mass. In part 2 of the lab the simulated cell was filled with white starch and

roughly 5 ml of water and was placed into water with 20 drops of iodine. The outside of the cell

appeared yellow before the 24 hours and clear after the 24 hours. The inside of the cell was white

before the 24 hours and dark purple after.

Discussion

During part one of the lab certain bags gained and lost mass based on the osmotic environment

that they were placed into. In beaker one the bag was placed into an isotonic environment which

means that there was an equal concentration of pure water inside and outside of the cell. The

reason that the results show an increase after 3 minutes and 6 minutes but then a slight decrease

after 9 minutes is because of aquaporins. Aquaporins are integral proteins that are always open

therefor the cell membrane can not control the movement of water through them. In an isotonic

environment there will always be a slight movement of water through the aquaporins and that is

why there is a small increase and decrease in the cells mass. Bag 2, 3, 4, and 6 were all placed

into hypotonic environments. This means that the concentration of pure water was higher inside
The Effect of Different Osmotic Solutions on Simulated Cells DiNucci 11

of the cell than outside the cell. In a hypotonic environment water moves into the cell in order to

reach equilibrium and that is why the cell increased in mass. The reason that the cell increases a

large amount after 3 minutes, increases a little bit less after 6 minutes and even less after 9

minutes is because overtime the rate of osmosis slows down the closer the simulated cell gets to

equilibrium. Bag 5 was filled with water and placed into 60% glucose solution which means that

there was a higher concentration of pure water inside the cell than outside the cell. This

environment is called a hypertonic environment and it is when water moves outside of the cell in

order to reach equilibrium resulting in a decrease of mass in bag 5. Both bag 5 and bag 6 were

placed into the same beaker, but that does not mean that the cells are in the same environment.

The osmotic environment is determined based on the concentration of pure water in relation to a

specific cell. Just because the solution is hypotonic doesn’t mean all cells placed into it are in

hypotonic environments. Bag 6 was filled with 80% glucose solution and placed into 60%

glucose solution, bag 2 was filled with 20% glucose solution and placed into water. These 2

simulated cells have the same concentration gradient; however, the rate of osmosis was higher in

bag 2 than in bag 6. In the results, the 80% glucose simulated cell did not gain as much mass as

the 20% glucose in water, but they should have gained the same amount of mass because they

have the same concentration gradient. Bag 6 was in the same beaker with bag 5 therefore the

bags were crammed inside of the beaker, while bag 2 was placed into its own beaker. Surface

area effects the rate of osmosis because the larger the surface area, the easier it is for the water

molecules to move across the cell membrane. The smaller the surface area, the more restricted

the movement of molecules is. Bag 2 had more surface area because it was placed in its own

beaker, while bag 6 was crowded in a beaker with bag 5 which provides evidence in why bag 2

gained more mass than bag 6. (A Complete Resource Guide on Osmosis, n.d.) In part 2 the
The Effect of Different Osmotic Solutions on Simulated Cells DiNucci 12

inside of the simulated cell was filled with white starch and roughly 5 ml of water. The cell was

placed into a beaker with water and 20 drops of iodine and appeared yellow. After letting it sit

for 24 hours the inside of the cell turned dark purple and the beakers solution was clear. The

reason that the inside of the cell turned dark purple is because the dialysis tubing is permeable to

iodine and water. All of the iodine from the outside of the cell moved into the cell and reacted

with the starch causing it to turn dark purple. As a result, the outside of the cell was left with

only water because all of the iodine had moved inside the cell. Some sources of error in this lab

were that the cells did not soak in the solution long enough to see the simulated cells reach

equilibrium. Also, the groups may have not tied their dialysis tubing tight enough which could

have affected the mass gain or loss when measuring after 0-3 minutes, 3-6 minutes and 6-9

minutes. Another possible source of error could have been that since the results in table 1 and

Figure 1 are averages of the 6 simulated cells in all the groups in 3 biology classes there could

have been a few outliers in the data that could have skewed the data and effected the results.

Lastly, before measuring the mass of the simulated cells between each of the time intervals some

simulated cells may not have been dried off as thoroughly as others resulting in excess water on

the dialysis tubing which would have added mass and could have made the data set less accurate.

To make this lab better the next time, students should let the let the cells soak in the designated

solution for 30 minutes, measuring the mass after 0-10 minutes, 10-20 minutes and 20-30

minutes to see the simulated cells reach equilibrium.

The Effect of Different Osmotic Solutions on Simulated Cells DiNucci 13

Works cited

A Complete Resource Guide on Osmosis. (n.d.). Retrieved from Apec Water:

https://www.freedrinkingwater.com/resource-a-complete-resource-guide-to-osmosis.htm

Biggs, A., Hagins, W. C., Holliday, W. G., Kapicka, C. L., Lundgren, L., MacKenzie, A. H., . . .

Zike, D. (2012). Biology. Columbus, Ohio, USA: McGraw Hill Companies.

(n.d.). Diffusion Through Cell Membranes .