Osmosis Virtual lab

Journal questions
1) Did water move into the cell or out of the cell when it was surrounded by
hypotonic solution?
Water moved into the cell when it was surrounded by hypotonic
solution.
2) In which direction did the water move through the cell membrane when the
cell was surrounded by the hypertonic solution?
The water moved out of the cell when it was surrounded by the
hypertonic solution.
3) Compare and contrast what happens to an animal, a plant, and a Paramecium
cell in a hypotonic, and isotonic, and a hypertonic solution.
In a hypotonic solution all the cells expand. In an isotonic solution all
cells remain the same and in a hypertonic solution all cells contract.
4) Could Elodea or Paramecium from a freshwater lake be expected to survive if
transplanted into the ocean? Explain why.
It would not be able to survive because ocean is hypertonic and will
result in wilting as it moves out of water.
5) If you were to grill a steak, would it be better to put salt on it before or after
you cooked it? Explain why, in terms of osmosis.
It is better to do it before you grill it because it is done to remove water
from the steak as salt takes water away. If you do it after it takes the
moist away from the steak.
6) Why does salad become soggy and wilted when dressing has been on it for a
while? Explain why, in terms of osmosis.
Since there is a high salt concentration in the dressing, it absorbs the
water from the lettuce. Therefore, it becomes wilted when dressing has
been on it for a while.
7) An effective way to kill weeds is to pour salt water on the ground around the
plants. Explain why the weeds die, using the principles discovered in this
virtual lab.
Pouring salt water creates a hypertonic environment which stops the
weeds from getting water. Since they cant get water, they soon wilt
and die.

Molecule Red Red Elodea: Elodea: Parameciu Parameciu

s Name Blood Blood Net Appearan m: Net m:
Cell: Net Cell: Water ce of Cell Water Appearan
water Appearan Movemen Movement ce of Cell
Movemen ce of Cell t In/Out In/Out
t In/ Out
Hypotoni In Expand In Expand In Expand
c
Isotonic Neutral No Neutral No Neutral No change
change change
Hyperton Out Contract Out Contract Out Contract
ic