TITLE

Experiment 3 : Investigating Cell Membrane Permeability Using Tumeric

(Curcuma Longa)

Introduction
The Plasma Membrane is a semipermeable limiting layer of cell protoplasm
consisting of a fluid phospholipid bilayer with intercalated proteins. The plasma membrane,
also called the cell membrane. The plasma membrane protects the cell from its external
environment, mediates cellular transport, and transmits cellular signals.
The plasma membrane is the boundary between the cell and its environment. It
regulates what enters and exits the cell. Cells must maintain an appropriate amount of
molecules to function inside them. They must also have a way to keep things out or to allow
things to enter. This is the job of the plasma membrane. The plasma membrane is like the
guard at a gated community. The guard must inspect those who enter and those who leave
to make sure that only the people and things needed in the community are there. The
plasma membrane consists of two layers of lipids, fats linked with different proteins
performing the roles of receiving information or transporting molecules. The plasma
membrane forms a barrier between the interior of the cell and the rest of the body. It allows
substances that it needs to function to pass inside the cell. The plasma membrane and is the
main guarantor of exchange between the cells and the rest of the body
The primary objective of this experiment is to determine the effect of ethanol to
Curcuma Longa by using different concentrations of solution which are fully distilled water,
25% ethanol and 100% ethanol. It is found that ethanol can alter the structural properties of
the membranes. Ethanol molecules are able to penetrate through the membrane. In
particular, the bilayers become more fluid and permeable. So, the alcohol solutions used in
this experiment are clear and colourless. In the end of the experiment, if the turmeric
pigments leak into the solution, it will turn the ethanol colour becomes yellowish. The
intensity of colour will show the amount of cellular damage of cell membranes caused by
the ethanol. The higher the concentration of ethanol, the yellowish will be the solution at
the end of the experiment.

Objectives
To investigate the effect of ethanol on the structure of the cell membrane of
Curcuma Longa.
Materials and Apparatus

1. Curcuma Longa ( Turmeric )

2. Ethanol
3. Distilled Water
4. Cork Borer
5. Scalpel Ruler
6. Forceps
7. Beakers ( 100 ml )
8. Measuring Cylinder ( 10 ml )
9. White tile

Procedure

1. Cut 6 cylinders of fresh Curcuma Longa tissue using a cork borer and place on a white
tile.
2. The cylinders are cut to the same length by using a ruler and a scalpel.
3. Place the cylinders in a beaker of water and leave to soak for 5 minutes.
4. Remove cylinders from water and place onto the paper towel to dry.
5. Make a 1:4 dilution of ethanol. The total volume needed is 10 ml.
6. Label 3 beakers with (i) Water, (ii) 25% Ethanol, and (iii) 100% Ethanol.
7. Fill each beaker with its respective solution, 10 ml each.
8. Place 2 Curcuma Longa in each beaker.
9. Place the beakers containing 2 Curcuma Longa in the same water bath with a
temperature of 30 degree Celsius and leave for 15 minutes.
10. The colour of the solution in the beakers are observed.
Results of The Experiment

Beakers Colour
Initial Colour Final Colour
(i). Water Colourless Light yellow

(ii). 25% Ethanol Colourless Bright yellow

(iii). 100% Colourless Dark yellow

Ethanol

Discussion

From the results we know that the cell membrane of Curcuma Longa illustrate
accordingly to the fluid mosaic model, the plasma membrane is a mosaic of components
primarily of phospholipids, cholesterol, and proteins that move freely and fluidly in the
plane of the membrane. The plasma membrane is a semi-permeable phospholipid bilayer
that contains a hydrophilic head and a non-polar hydrophobic tail. It contains hydrogen
bonds between the phospholipids that help hold the plasma membrane together.
Cholesterol molecules are also embedded into the membrane for fluidity. As we know,
ethanol is a type of alcohol that is very soluble in water because of the presence of hydroxyl
group and a short chain of hydrocarbon. The lipid bilayers in the Curcuma Longa
membranes can be dissolved by the organic solvent. In particularly, breaks apart the weak
hydrogen bonds in the lipid bilayers of the cell membrane, thus the cell membrane will be
disrupted as it is dissolved by the ethanol solution. Furthermore, ethanol may favor the
uptake of cholesterol or saturated fatty acids into membranes, thus reducing its own effect.
The membrane-bound vacuole of the Curcuma Longa cell also contains a water-soluble
yellow pigment, that gives the Curcuma Longa its characteristic colour. If the integrity of the
cell membrane is disrupted, as a result the contents of the vacuole will spill out into the
surrounding environment.
In this experiment we tested the effect of ethanol on the structure of the cell membrane of
Curcuma Longa.
1. In the first beaker, two cylinder of Curcuma Longa are placed in the 10 ml distilled
water for 15 minutes that is bathed in a water bath. After 15 minutes we can
observed that the colour of the distilled water changes from colourless to light
yellow. The amount of light yellow pigment is leaked out from the cell membrane of
Curcuma Longa due to the damage of plasma membrane when the Curcuma Longa is
cut into cylinders by using the cork borer.

2. In the second beaker, two cylinder of Curcuma Longa are placed in the 25% of
ethanol for 15 minutes which is 1:4 ratio of ethanol and distilled water, that is
bathed in a water bath. After 15 minutes we can observed that the colour of solution
changes from colourless to bright yellow. The bright yellow shows that more yellow
pigment is leaked out from the cell membrane of Curcuma Longa compared to the
first beaker. This result is caused by the effect of ethanol to the structure of
phospholipid bilayer. The lipid bilayer of the Curcuma Longa membrane is non-polar
solute that can be dissolved by an organic solvent such as ethanol which is non-polar
solvent. Perhaps, the low concentration of ethanol solution was not enough to
destroy the plasma membrane effectively that is why only little amount of tumeric
pigments from the cell membrane of Curcuma Longa leaked out.

3. In the third beaker, two cylinder of Curcuma Longa are placed in pure ethanol for 15
minutes which is 100% ethanol solution, that is also bathed in a water bath. After 15
minutes the we can observed that the colour of the pure ethanol changes colour
from colourless to dark yellow. The dark yellow shows that more tumeric pigment is
leaked out from the cell membrane of Curcuma Longa compared to the second
beaker. This is due to the higher concentration of ethanol, the higher the damage of
phospholipid bilayer of Curcuma longa. At the same time, the higher concentration
of ethanol will denature the protein by breaking the hydrogen bonds and more
cholesterol will be dissolved. As a result, more amount of tumeric pigment is leaked
out from the cell membrane resulting in a dark yellow colour.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the effect of ethanol on the structure of plasma membrane of
Curcuma Longa which is higher in the concentration of ethanol, the higher the intensity of
tumeric pigment leaked out from the cell membrane of Curcuma Longa.
Reference

1. The definition of plasma membrane and the fluid mosaic model. Retrieved October
6, 2021, from https://www.assignmentpoint.com/science/biology/introduction-of-
plasma-membrane.html

2. The effect of ethanol on the structure of plasma membrane . Retrieved October 6,

2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1367264/

3. The function of cholesterol in plasma membrane. Retrieved October 6, 2021, from

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22207480/#:~:text=Saturation%20with
%20cholesterol%20smoothes%20the%20phospholipid-bilayer%20surface%2C
%20which,of%20hydrophobic%20channels%20in%20the%20central%20region%20

4. Membrane permeability ( Beetroot ). Retrieved October 6, 2021, from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzwOfFvLtJ0&feature=youtu.be