Egg Osmosis Lab

BIO 1404 0CG

April 20, 2017
Christian Gonzalez

Christopher Rainey

Emily Gimbel
Introduction: The purpose of the experiment is to record the effects of osmosis and diffusion
on a shell-less egg using a variety of solutions. It will represent a cell and its selectively permeable

membrane. Diffusion experiments with eggs will demonstrate how cells with permeable

membranes interact with different substances and how far they can expand. The size of egg cells

makes them a good choice for showing the effects of cell diffusion.

Hypothesis: The egg shell is made up of the mineral calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate

dissolves in acids such as vinegar so if a shell-less egg is added to an egg white, corn syrup, salt

water, orange juice solution, distilled water solution, then the weight of the egg will either increase,

decrease, or stay the same because of osmosis and diffusion. It should then release carbon

dioxide, leaving only the membrane around the egg.

Background:Molecules, which are in constant motion, tend to move from areas of higher

concentrations to lesser concentrations.Diffusion is when the movement of molecules from an area of high

concentration to an area of low concentration.As for osmosis, which is a special type of diffusion, is the

movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane. Selectively permeable means

that some molecules can move through the membrane while others cannot. Movement through

membranes is called transport. Diffusion and osmosis are passive forms of transport, which means that

they dont need energy to move areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration. Active transport

requires energy to transport molecules from low concentration to high concentration.

Experimental Design and Methods: First, fully submerge the six eggs in a graduated

cylinder filled with vinegar. Allow the eggs to sit for at least one day. Gather and label each of the

graduated cylinders. Fill each cylinder with the appropriate solution. Each cylinder should be

filled equally. After the shells are gone and the eggs feel soft, take them out of the solution &

rinse them with water. Find the weight & measure them around the widest and longest points.

Record your observations for the data table. Give a hypothesis on what will happen to each egg.

You should then gather and submerge your eggs back into the solution. Allow the eggs to stay in

the cylinders for another day. After at least 24 hours you should extract the eggs and compare

each of them. Record your data of the weights and dimensions once more. You should be able to

measure each percent change of the egg and compare that to your hypothesis. (Use ending

mass x 100 divided by beginning mass)

 Potential Results
Data Table: Mass in Grams Circumference in Percent Weight
mm Change

Egg #1

Egg #2

Egg #3

Egg #4

Egg #5

Also describe how the egg feels and looks, before & after osmosis.
Possible Predictions:In my hypothesis, I predicted that if an egg is submerged in any type of liquid, then the
egg will swell as a result of the diffusion of water moving into the egg. Although in appearance they seemed smaller

and that they had shrunk, they had actually increased in mass. The eggs were hard before they were submerged in

the solutions, but after spending 24 hours in either of the liquid solutions, the egg became soft and some appeared

smaller than before. The appearance of the inside of the eggs after being submerged in the substances had different

results. The inside of the egg had a high concentration of water before it was placed in the cylinder full of different

substances. When the egg was placed in the cylinder, osmosis had occurred. The dependent variables were the

different type of solutions used, while the controlled variables were the amount of solutions and the size of each egg.

The experiment overall was successful. If I could repeat this experiment, I would use some type fruit to submerge in

the substances.
Timeline :

Submerg
Submerg Measure e Measure
e & Weigh Eggs In & Weigh
Eggs In Eggs Different Eggs
Vinegar Solutions

Wait 24 Record Wait 24 Record

Hours Data Hours Data
List of equipment :
Graduated cylinders
Distilled Water
Scale
Five shell-less chicken eggs
Vinegar
Corn Syrup
Salt
Orange Juice
Egg Whites
Safety precautions :
Be sure to wash hands beforehand
Salt solution should not be consumed
Handle eggs with care
Gloves, Goggles & an apron should be worn at all-times
Contributions:

Christian Gonzalez: Introduction & Hypothesis, Potential Results,

Lab Equipment

Christopher Rainey: Background, Possible Predictions, Safety

Precautions

Emily Gimbel: Experimental Design & Method, Timeline, References

References:
osmosis. (2016). In P. Lagasse, & Columbia University, The Columbia encyclopedia (6th ed.). New

York, NY: Columbia University Press. Retrieved from

http://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/columency/osmosis/0

Ordin L, Bonner J. Permeability of Avena Coleoptile Sections to Water Measured by Diffusion of

Deuterium Hydroxide. Plant Physiol. 1956 Jan;31(1):5357

Philip JR. The Osmotic Cell, Solute Diffusibility, and the Plant Water Economy. Plant Physiol. 1958

Jul;33(4):264271

Eric M. Kramer, David R. Myers. Osmosis is not driven by water dilution. Trends in Plant Science,

2013;