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This laboratory experiment explores the principles of diffusion and osmosis using eggs as semi-permeable membranes. The goal is to understand how changes in the external environment affect the internal environment of the egg. Diffusion is the movement of molecules down their concentration gradient, while osmosis specifically deals with the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane. The experiment involves immersing eggs in different concentrations of alcohol and water and measuring the changes in mass. The results demonstrate the semi-permeable nature of the egg's membrane and the effects of varying solute concentrations on the egg's internal environment.
Eggs, with their cell membrane, bear a resemblance to human cells and their selectively permeable membranes. This experiment uses eggs as a model system to investigate how changes in the external environment, specifically the concentration of alcohol and water, impact the internal environment of the egg. Diffusion, the process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to lower concentration, and osmosis, the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane, are fundamental biological processes essential for nutrient and waste transport in organisms.
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The hypothesis for this experiment was that the egg's mass would increase when exposed to alcohol solutions, as it was expected that the membrane would allow alcohol to pass through, causing the egg to expand. The experiment was conducted by immersing eggs in different alcohol and water solutions and measuring their mass changes over time.
The initial mass of the eggs averaged 68.5 grams before they were placed in the alcohol and water solutions. The results are summarized in the table below:
| Sample | Initial Mass (g) | Final Mass (g) | Mass Change (g) | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0% Alcohol (Water) | 68.5 | 77.3 | +8.8 | +12.8% |
| 30% Alcohol | 67.7 | 66.0 | -1.7 | -2.5% |
| 70% Alcohol | 66.1 | 53.1 | -13.0 | -19.7% |
The results of this experiment support the hypothesis that the egg's membrane is semi-permeable, allowing for the movement of water and solutes. The decrease in egg mass in the presence of alcohol solutions demonstrates the process of osmosis, where water molecules move from an area of higher concentration (inside the egg) to an area of lower concentration (outside the egg). As a result, the egg's internal environment becomes less concentrated, causing a decrease in mass.
For the egg placed in 0% alcohol (water), the mass increased by 8.8 grams or 12.8% over 24 hours. This increase is attributed to the diffusion of water into the egg, as the water outside had a higher concentration of water molecules than the egg's interior.
Conversely, in the presence of alcohol solutions (30% and 70% alcohol), the egg's mass decreased. This is because alcohol is not as permeable through the egg's membrane as water. As a result, the water inside the egg moved out to equalize the concentrations, leading to a decrease in mass. The egg in 70% alcohol experienced a more significant mass loss (-13.0 grams or -19.7%) due to the higher alcohol concentration.
This experiment demonstrates the semi-permeable nature of the egg's membrane, allowing the passage of water and certain solutes. The results confirm that water moves through the membrane via osmosis, causing changes in the egg's mass. The experiment also highlights the contrasting effects of alcohol, which is less permeable, leading to a decrease in mass as water moves out of the egg to equalize concentrations. Overall, the experiment provides insights into diffusion and osmosis processes and their significance in biological systems.
Based on my data, the egg was semi-permeable. I know this because the mass of the egg decreased which should be result of osmosis. For the last egg, the egg was in 70% alcohol which means it didn’t have any water, and the starting mass was 66.1 grams. The ending mass was 53.1 grams. Also I observed that the only thing left inside the egg was the white parts and yellow, which meant all the water from the egg pass through the membrane because the water needed to be equal to the outside environment. Diffusion happened with the first egg which was the one that was only in water.
I know that diffusion happened because the mass of the egg gained which meant water hap to come in because water can’t just magically grow/appear in an object. The mass before putting the egg in water over 24 hours was 71.7 grams. The next day it increased to 77.3 grams. This is diffusion because the water molecules on the outside of the egg were the higher concentration gradient than the ones in the inside so it had to be even. To be equal, the water had to diffuse through the membrane into the egg causing the mass to increase.
The evidence refuted my prediction because I said that the alcohol would increase the mass which was the opposite of my results. The results showed me that alcohol decreases the mass of an egg. Some potential sources of error in my experiment could have been measuring the exact amount of alcohol or water, and/or measuring the correct mass each time. Some ways that my experiment could have been improved are by using alcohol that was at a higher concentration than 70% or being able to control the temperature of the eggs or water/liquids. My experiment creates future experiments of what does alcohol actually do to human cells.
Laboratory Report: Egg Diffusion and Osmosis Experiment. (2016, May 11). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/document/egg-lab-report
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