Observing Osmosis

It is difficult to see osmosis occurring in cells

because of the small size of the cell. However,
there are a few cells that can be seen without
the aid of a microscope. Try this activity to see
how osmosis occurs in a large cell.

Problem: How does osmosis occur in an egg cell?

Materials
Raw egg 500 ml beaker
250 ml vinegar 250 ml corn syrup
250 or larger graduated cylinder Para film (or saran wrap)
250 ml distilled water

Make a Journal to record the following information

Day 1
____ Place the egg into the 500 ml beaker. Pour 250 ml of vinegar over the egg.
Cover the beaker
____ After 30 minutes, record your observations in the data table
____ Let stand for two days
____ Make a prediction in your journal about what will happen to the egg/solution on day 2
____ Record any observations/measurements
Day 2
____ Record the appearance of the egg in the data table.
____ Carefully pour the vinegar into a graduated cylinder, record the amount you now have
in the data table. Recall how much you began with.
____ Rinse the egg off and pour 250 ml of the corn syrup over the egg and cover. The egg
shell is thin so handle with care. Let stand for two days.
____ Make a prediction in your journal about what will happen to the egg/solution on day 5
____ Record any observations/measurements
Day 5
____ Record the appearance of the egg in the data table.
____ Carefully pour the corn syrup into a graduated cylinder. Record the amount and recall
the amount you began with.
____ Rinse off the egg and pour 250 ml of water over the egg.
Cover and let stand for two days.
____ Make a prediction in your journal about what will happen to the egg/solution on day 7
____ Record any observations/measurements
Day 7
____ Record the appearance of the egg in the data table
____ Carefully pour the water into a graduated cylinder and record the amount in the data
table. Again, recall how much water we began with.
____ Dispose of your egg as instructed and clean all beakers with soapy water.
____ Record any observations/measurements

Data Table
Amount of liquid in
Observations
the beaker (ml)

Day 1

Day 3

Day 5

Day 7
 Analysis:
1. What did you see happening to the egg during day 1 observations?

2. How, if any, did the amount of vinegar change on day 2 observations?

Explain your results:

3. Did you see any changes to the egg size on day 2?

Describe:

4. What happened to the shell of the egg on day 2?

Why do you think this occurred?

5. List your prediction for day 2 and why you suppose it was right or wrong.

6. Did you see any changes to the egg on day 5?

Describe:

7. How, if any, did the amount of corn syrup change on day 5 observations?
Explain your results:

8. List your prediction for day 5 and why you suppose it was right or wrong.

9. Did you see any changes to the egg on day 7 observations?

Describe:

10. How, if any, did the amount of water change?

Explain you results:

11. List your prediction for day 7 and why you suppose it was right or wrong.

12. Were any of the solutions hypertonic?

List solutions and explain:

13. Where any of the solutions hypotonic?

List solutions and explain:

14. Where any of the solutions isotonic?

List solutions and explain: