Activity 3.

1
Title
Objective
Problem
statement

The movement of substances across a semi-permeable membrane

To study the movement of substances across a semi-permeable membrane
What is the factor that influences the diffusion of substances through a semipermeable membrane?
The diffusion of molecule through a semi-permeable membrane is based on the
Hypothesis
size of the molecule.
Manipulated variable:
Size of solute molecules
Variables

Materials
and
apparatus
Procedure:

Responding variable:
Colour of solution in the visking tube
Constant variable:
Temperature
Benedicts solution, 1% starch suspension, iodine solution, 30% glucose
solution, distilled water, visking tubing, cotton thread, test tubes, beaker,
Bunsen burner
*draw Figure 3.1, page 21
*you can get the procedure from Biology Practical textbook, reference book or
internet.

Contents

Glucose +
starch
Distilled
Yellow
Yellow
water +
iodine
solution
Discussion 1. State all the variables in this experiment.
Manipulated variable: Size of solute molecules
Responding variable: Colour of solution in the visking tube
Constant variable: Temperature
Results

Visking
tubing
Beaker

Iodine test
Original
Final colour
colour
Colourless
Blue-black

Benedicts
test
Brick red
precipitate
Brick red
precipitate

2. Based on the results, make an inference regarding the size of the iodine
molecules as compared to the size of the starch molecules.
Size of the iodine molecules are smaller than size of starch molecules.
3. What inference can you make regarding the size of the starch molecules
when compared to the size of the pores on the visking tubing?
Size of the starch molecules are bigger than size of the pores on the visking
tubing.

4. What do the results of the Benedicts test show? What inference can you
make from the results?
Brick red precipitate. Glucose molecules are present in the beaker.
5. Predict the outcome of the results if the experiment is repeated by filling the
visking tubing with glucose solution and the beaker with starch suspension?
Solution in the beaker will turn blue-black.

Conclusio
n

6. Based on the experiment, what analogy can you make between the visking
tubing and the digestive system?
Visking tubing is small intestine. Glucose will be absorbed easily through
the semi-permeable membrane of the epithelial cells lining the intestinal
wall.
The diffusion of molecule through a semi-permeable membrane is based on the
size of the molecule. Hypothesis is accepted.