Robert Belt

Biology 211
Lab Homework Assignment #2

Results

Change in Egg Weight (g) in Solution

Over Time (mins.)
Time (mins.) Egg B (g) Egg C (g)
0 87.27 94.06
6 86.52 94.52
12 85.9 94.85
18 85.23 95.23
24 85.58 95.44
30 84.01 95.72

Table 1. Change in egg weight (measured in grams) of two decalcified eggs (B and
C) each submerged in a different unknown solution (B and C) over thirty minute
period. The initial weight of each egg was measured before being added to unknown
solution and weight measurements for each egg were taken every six minutes
during submersion period.

Change in Egg Weight (g) in Solution Over

Time (mins.)
98
96
94
92
Egg Weight (g)

90
88
Egg B
86
84 Egg C
82
80
78
0 6 12 18 24 30
Time (mins)
Figure 1. Plotted change in egg weight (measured in grams) of two decalcified eggs
(B and C) each submerged in a different unknown solution (B and C) over thirty
minute period. Weight measurements were taken in six-minute intervals and the
time it took to weigh the eggs was not counted toward the thirty minute submersion
period.

Discussion

In this lab we explored the processes of diffusion and osmosis and how the
movement of materials across a cell membrane is largely influenced by the
difference in solute concentrations. Cells can gain or lose water from the
extracellular region through osmosis, which is driven by the difference in solute
concentrations across the semi-permeable membrane. Water diffuses from regions
of low solute concentration to regions of high concentration. The net flow of water
into or out of the cell can be described by the tonicity—hypotonic, hypertonic, and
isotonic— of the extracellular fluid, which relates the concentration of solutes in
both regions. In Exercise B we investigated the tonicity of two unknown solutions in
relation to “model cells” (i.e., decalcified eggs). After submerging each egg in its
respective unknown solution, we were able to analyze the net flow of water across
the semi-permeable membrane by measuring the weight change of the egg. Over the
thirty minute submersion period, Egg B lost 3.26 grams and Egg C gained 1.66
grams. Egg B lost weight due to water flowing out of the cell, meaning the solute
concentration was higher in the unknown solution than inside the egg. Thus,
Solution B is hypertonic. On the other hand, Egg C gained weight due to water
flowing into the cell because the solute concentration was less in the unknown
solution than inside the egg. Therefore, Solution C is hypotonic. The results of our
experiment supported my hypothesis that if the egg were to gain weight the
unknown solution would be hypotonic and if it were to lose weight the unknown
solution would be hypertonic.