Diffusion and Osmosis: Osmosis in Decalcified Eggs

Mikhaela Sapp
Date of Experiment: March 10, 2016
Date of Submission: May 5, 2015

Abstract
To begin the experiment we placed four eggs in four different beakers. One in a beaker
filled with water, one in a beaker filled with 0.5 M glucose, one in a beaker filled with 1.5 M
glucose, and one in a beaker filled with 2.0 M glucose. Every fifteen minutes I measured the
mass of the egg to determine how much the egg absorbed or didnt absorb. After the last fifteen
minutes was over, I started calculating the percent change for each egg. To do this, I took the new
mass new mass and subtracted by the initial mass, divided by the initial mass and multiplied that
by 100. The percent changes showed me that water and 0.5 M glucose were hypotonic and 1.5 M
glucose and 2.0 M glucose were hypertonic.

Introduction
We did this experiment to determine the osmolality in the eggs. Osmosis is a process by
which molecules of a solvent tend to pass through a semipermeable membrane from a less
concentrated solution into a more concentrated one, thus equalizing the concentrations on each
side of the membrane. Most biological membranes are more permeable to water than to ions or
other solutes, and water moves across them by osmosis from a solution of lower solute
concentration to one of higher solute concentration. Animal cells swell or shrink when placed in
hypotonic or hypertonic solutions. A hypotonic solution is one in which the concentration of
solutes is greater inside the cell than outside of it, and a hypertonic solution is one where the
concentration of solutes is greater outside the cell than inside it. Brownian movement is when the
molecules bump into each other, causing random motion. This explains passive transport because
passive transport is the movement of molecules without adding energy.

Materials and Methods

Procedure is found on pages 231 through 234 in the BIOL 110 Lab Manual.

Results
Mass of Eggs:

Percent Change in Eggs:

Discussion
The information contained in my introduction connects to my results because by
explaining the differences between hypertonic and hypotonic, its easier to understand the results.
My results do agree with established biological facts because it is fact that since water and 0.5 M
glucose had positive percent changes in the eggs, this means that they are hypotonic; also
meaning that the concentration of solutes is greater inside the cell than outside of it. Also, since
1.5 M glucose and 2.0 M glucose had negative percent changes in the eggs, this means that they
are hypertonic; also meaning that the concentration of solutes is greater outside the cell than
inside it.

Relevance
Animal cells are the most popular when it comes to osmosis. The animal cell example
involves salt and water. Our cells have semipermeable membranes that do not allow salt particles
to flow in and out. Therefore when we are dehydrated and drink a lot of water, we are reaching
equilibrium in our cells by filling them back up with water. Another example is when your body
prunes after taking a long shower or bath. Most people assume that you are pruning up by
losing water, but this is not the case. This makes it easier to understand the original idea of
osmosis: moving from a less concentrated substance to a more concentrated substance. Another
example would be making a cup of tea: water moves through the semi-permeable membrane
(teabag) and into the concentrated tea leaves.

References
"Biology, Surrounding Us. Journal #5: Diffusion and Osmosis in Real Life. N.p., n.d. Web. 28
Apr. 2016.
Dalton, K. (2012). Biology I: Molecular & Cells, Lecture Guide & Laboratory Manual. Virginia
Beach, VA: Academx Publishing Services, Inc.
Gemma, Will. 7 Examples of Osmosis in Everyday Life. Udemy Blog. N.p., June-July 2014.
Web. 28 Apr. 2016.
Raghuvanshi, Kulbhushaan. Examples of Osmosis. Buzzle. Buzzle.com, 13 Apr. 2016. Web. 28
Apr. 2016.