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Yue Cao

First hand investigation Cell membrane structure


Aim: To investigate the effect of acid, ethanol and detergent on beetroot cell membranes Equipment: Solution of pH 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 Solution of 1%, 25% and 50% ethanol Solution of 1% and 5% detergent 10 petri dishes Paper towel 30 beetroot cubes

Method: 1. Thoroughly rinse 30 pieces of cut beetroot until no more pigment is visible. 2. Pour the listed solutions into separate petri dishes. 3. Place three piece of beetroot into each petri dishes 4. Observe the effect of different solutions Result: No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Solution pH 2 pH 4 pH 6 pH 8 pH 10 Ethanol 1% Ethanol 25% Ethanol 50% Detergent 1% Detergent 5% Observation A lot of leakage after 30 seconds Some leakage after 1 minute A bit leakage after 3 minutes A bit leakage after 2 minutes No leakage. Beetroot turns yellow after 30 seconds. The cell is shriveled. A bit leakage after 4 minutes A bit leakage after 4 minutes A lot of leakage after 1 minute A bit leakage after 4 minutes A bit leakage after 4 minutes Leakage scale (5 as the highest) 5 2 1 1 N/A 1 2 4 1 2

Yue Cao Conclusion: By exposing beetroot cell membrane to acid, base, ethanol and detergent, the solutions will affect its permeability. The higher the concentration of the solution, the more permeable the membrane will be and more pigment will diffuses out of the cell. This happens because of the structure of the cell membrane. The membrane consists of a double layer of phospholipid molecules, called the lipid bilayer. The proteins in the bilayer are either on the surface or embedded in the lipid layer. The integral protein controls the movement of molecules in and out the cell. The lipids in the bilayer are soluble to solutions such as acid, base, ethanol and detergent. Therefore these solutions would affect the lipids in the bilayer by destroying or dissolving them. Hence, pigment would leak out because the membrane proteins are damaged. Discussion: Risk assessment - acid and base are corrosive, handle with care - carry petri dish with caution when it is filled with solution Accuracy This experiment is accurate because correct materials are being used and precise measurements are done. Reliability This experiment is reliable because all the other groups obtained the same result. Validity This experiment is no valid because not all controlled variable are kept the same. The beetroot slices are hand cut so the size varies a lot. The volume of solution used is not being measured and therefore also varies across each petri dish. Further improvement The validity of this experiment can be improved by keeping all the controlled variable the same. The beetroot slices can be sliced more accurately, eg, having a ruler on the side as a reference, and can be weighed to ensure each piece is about the same size and weight. The solution can be measured using a measuring cylinder first before being poured into petri dish.

Yue Cao Questions on the worksheet: 1. a. Do solutions of different pH have an effect on beetroot cell membranes? Yes. The stronger the acid or base, the more effect it has on the membranes. b. Was time a factor? Yes. More damage on the membrane is made as it contacts with the solution for a longer period of time. c. What part of the cell membrane is likely to be affected by these solutions? Protein. Acid and base solution affects the hydrogen bonding in proteins and causes the overall shape of the protein to change. 2. a. Does alcohol have an effect on beetroot cell membranes? Yes. b. Was time or concentration a factor? Yes. The longer the time or the greater the concentration, the more effect is has on the membranes. c. What part of the cell membrane is likely to be affected by these solutions? Lipid and protein. Alcohol can dissolve lipid-based molecules. It causes holes in the cell membranes by dissolving the phospholipid. Alcohol can also affect protein by destroying the hydrogen bonding that hold the protein structure. 3. a. Does detergent have an effect on beetroot cell membranes? Yes. b. Was time or concentration a factor? Yes. The longer the time or the greater the concentration, the more effect is has on the membranes. c. What part of the cell membrane is likely to be affected by these solutions? Lipid. Detergent causes the phospholipid in the membrane to form micelles. The hydrophobic tails would face inwards away from the water and the hydrophilic heads will face outwards and this forces the phosphor bilayers structure to change.

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