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Aim:
The aim of this experiment is to understand the function of the plasma
membrane and osmosis. Also, study the effects of osmotic solutions on an elodea
leaf and determine each solution term.

Introduction:
The plasma membrane, also known as the cell membrane, is a membrane that
Interface between the interior of the cell and the extracellular fluid that
surrounds all cells. It is present in all cells. The plasma membrane is made up of a
semipermeable lipid bilayer. The plasma membrane's main function is to protect
the cell from its surroundings. it is selectively permeable allowing some
substances to pass across while not others. Plasma membranes are highly
adaptable, allowing specific cells to function. The plasma membrane also helps to
group cells together to form tissues by anchoring the cytoskeleton and binding to
the extracellular matrix and
other cells. The fluid mosaic
model describes the plasma
membrane's structure as a
mosaic of components,
including phospholipids,
cholesterol, proteins, and
carbohydrates, that give it a
fluid character. The thickness
of plasma membranes varies
Fig 1.1: Fluid mosaic diagram.
between 5 and 10 nm.
https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Plasma-Membrane

The membrane is selective about which molecules it allows to pass through.

Diffusion, osmosis, or active transport allow movement across the barrier. first,
diffusion is defined as the flow of a substance from a high-concentration area to a
low-concentration area. Diffusion occurs in liquids and gases as particles pass
spontaneously from one location to another. Second, active transport occurs
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through a semipermeable membrane against a normal concentration gradient,

going from a low-concentration area to a high-concentration area and requiring
the release of energy from an ATP molecule. Lastly, osmosis is a form of passive
transport similar to diffusion in which a solvent move from a higher concentration
area to a lower concentration area through a selectively permeable or
semipermeable membrane. osmolarity is the overall concentration of solutes in a
solution. A solution is made up of two components: a solvent and a solute. There
are three solutions: An isotonic solution has the same concentration of solute and
solvent as a cell, so a cell put in isotonic solution has the same concentration of
solute and solvent as a cell. A hypotonic solution contains less solute and has a
higher water potential. When a human cell is submerged in a hypotonic solution,
molecules diffuse down the
concentration gradient until the
cell's membrane bursts. A
hypertonic solution contains more
solute and has a lower water
potential inside a cell. So, in a 10%
saline solution, the membrane of a
human cell will allow water to flow
out of the cell (from the higher
concentration inside to the lower
Fig 1.2: Tonicity
concentration outside), shrinking
it. https://www.dummies.com/education/science/anatomy/the-cell-membrane-diffusion-
osmosis-and-active-transport/

A typical plant cell is an Elodea leaf cell. It has a nucleus and a rigid cell wall that
gives it a box-like shape. The cell's numerous green
chloroplasts enable it to produce its own food (via
photosynthesis). it an aquatic plant and lives in
freshwater. its commonly used for aquariums. elodea
thin leaves are ideal for the microscopic study of the
effects of osmotic solutions.
Fig 1.3: Elodea leaf
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Materials:

• Microscope
• Microscope slide
• Coverslip
• Elodea plant
• Distilled water
• 5% NaCl solution
• 0.5% NaCl solution
• Tweezer
• Pasteur pipette
• 70% ethanol

Procedure:

1. Before starting the experiment, 70% of alcohol was used to sterilize the
bench.
2. 3 microscope slides were taken and labelled with the following sample
and solution.
3. Using tweezers 2 elodea leaves were placed on each microscope slide
(left and right side), 6 leaves in total.
4. Using Pasteur pipette one drop of 5% NaCl solution was dropped on the
left leaf side of the slide. while, leaf on the right side of the slide was
covered with a coverslip as its the control leaf.
5. Step 4 was repeated for the two slides, using 0.5% NaCl solution and
distilled water.
6. After 5 minutes, excess fluid from the leaves was blotted with a paper
towel and covered with coverslips on each slide.
7. Each slide was observed under the microscope using 20x magnification.
8. Lastly, define them in terms of isotonicity, hypotonicity, and
hypertonicity.
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Results:

Fig 1.4: Elodea leaves (20x) Fig 1.5: Elodea leaves treated with 5% NaCl (20X)

Fig 1.6: Elodea leaves treated with distilled Fig 1.7: Elodea leaves treated with % 0.5 NaCl
water (20X) (20X)

Discussion:

In this experiment, elodea leaves were used to see the effect of osmotic solutions.
In fig 1.4, the cells look normal size as its intact and the cell is not shrinking or
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swelling, and water moves equally in both directions. So, its isotonic solution
which means concentration of the solute inside the cell equal the concentration
of the solute outside the cell. In fig 1.5, we can clearly see that the cell is
plasmolyzed as the cytoplasm is shrinking and water moves out of the cell. Also,
the cell wall of the cell is deflated. So, it is hypertonic solution which means solute
concentration of solution is higher than solute concentration of a cell. In fig 1.6,
the cell looks swelled and turgid which means it’s a hypotonic solution. So, the
solute concentration of solution is lower than a solute concentration of a cell
therefore water moves into the cell. Lastly in fig 1.7, the cells also look turgid like
fig 1.6, even though fig 1.6 is distilled water while fig 1.7 is 0.5% Nacl. It gave the
same result because the Nacl is a strong solution even if small concentration was
used. So, it’s a hypotonic solution, water moves from external environment to the
cell and thus, the cells start to swell. However, rigid cell walls prevent it from
bursting and therefore it remains intact and cells become turgid. To end up,
Number and type of solutes present, effect the tonicity of a solution in a cell as it
plays an important role in a cell.

References:
• Plasma membrane (cell membrane). (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2021, from
https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Plasma-Membrane
• The cell MEMBRANE: DIFFUSION, osmosis, and active transport. (n.d.). Retrieved March
25, 2021, from https://www.dummies.com/education/science/anatomy/the-cell-
membrane-diffusion-osmosis-and-active-transport/