OBJECTIVES

1. To explain the process of simple diffusion.

2. To explain the concept of osmosis

MATERIALS
 slides
 cover slips
 toothpicks
 carmine dye powder
 microscope
 paper towels
 distilled water
 potato cylinders in containers of:
 20% salt (NaCl) solution
 0.9% sat (NaCl) solution
 Forceps
 Ruler
DIFFUSION
PROCEDURE

1. Obtain a slide and place two drops of water on it. Set the slide down on the table.
2. Stick a toothpick vertically down into the container of carmine dye powder to a depth of
about one half inch.
3. Hold the toothpick vertically over the drop of water on the slide with the point just above
the water. Gently tap the toothpick to shake a light sprinkling of red dye powder onto the
drop of water.
4. Add a cover slip over the drop of water. Place the slide on your microscope and observe
under low and high power.
5. Carefully examine the area where the powder granules are evenly dispersed throughout the
field of view. Note that the vibrating motion of the red granules is caused by vibrating water
molecules colliding with each other and the powder granules.

OSMOSIS
PROCEDURE

1. Cut six pieces of 3 cm-potato cylinder.

2. Place two pieces of the 3 cm-potato cylinder into beakers containing distilled water, 0.9%
salt solution and 20% salt solution, respectively
3. After one hour, using forceps carefully remove the beakers containing distilled water from
each of the beakers and place them on a paper towel.
4. Measure the length of the potato cylinders from each of the beakers as accurately as you
can with a ruler. Record the emasurements.