Notre Dame University –Shouf Campus

Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences (FNAS)

Sciences Department: Biology

Dania Karameh
ID: 20228117
Major: Biology
Fall semester- 2022
Experiment 3: Diffusion,
osmosis and membrane
permeability
Thursday, Oct 6th, 2022
 Notre Dame University –Shouf Campus
Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences (FNAS)

Sciences Department: Biology

 Title: Selective Membrane Permeability
 Abstract: The purpose of this report is to thoroughly explain the
steps and methods used in the following experiment which
allowed us to study the selective membrane permeability. In this
experiment, dialysis tubing is used to resemble an actual cell
membrane where both starch and glucose were tested (using
iodine and Benedict’s test relatively) to find which molecule can
diffuse through the membrane and which cannot.
 Introduction: Dialysis tubing is an artificial membrane with
microscopic pores that resembles those found in organisms’ cell
membranes. Many factors, including the molecule’s size, play a
role in the diffusion process of a certain molecule into or outside
of a certain membrane. The goal behind this experiment is to
study the membrane permeability; more specifically, is to know if
the membrane is permeable to starch or glucose molecule.
 Materials: -dialysis tubing in water
- Large test tube
-2 regular test tubes
-large beaker
-test tube rack
–test tube holders
- Rubber bands
- Boiling water bath
- Starch solution in squeeze bottle
- Glucose solution in squeeze bottles
- Benedict’s reagent in dropper bottles
-iodine in dropper bottles
- 2 droppers
 Notre Dame University –Shouf Campus
Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences (FNAS)

Sciences Department: Biology

 Method:
1- Fill the large test tube half full with tap water and then place it in the
large beaker so that it is supported.
2-Soke a strip of dialysis tubing in water.
3- Pick up the strip of dialysis tubing that was soaking in water and
carefully tie a secure knot at one of its ends.
4-Open the free end of the dialysis tubbing and separate its walls along
its length (using the “slipping back and forth” method between thumb
and forefinger)
5-Using squeeze bottles, fill half of the dialysis tubing with starch and
the other half with glucose solution.
6- Rinse the dialysis tubing with water after closing its end tightly (using
your fingers) to wash out any solution on the outer membrane.
7-Place the filled dialysis tubbing into the large test tube with
water ,folding its top end over the lip of the test tube and securing it
with a rubber band.
8- Let the dialysis sit in the large test tube for 20 minutes undisturbed.
9-After 20 minutes, withdraw 2 full droppers of the water surrounding
the dialysis tubbing and empty it in one of the clean test tubes. Do the
same for the other test tube.
10- In one of the test tubes, add a dropper of Benedict’s reagent and
boil the test tube in a hot water bath foe 2-3 minutes.
11- In the other test tube, add 4 drops of iodine and swirl to mix it.
12- Record the observed results.
 Results:
 Notre Dame University –Shouf Campus
Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences (FNAS)

Sciences Department: Biology

 Test tube 1: A color change was observed in the test tube
with Benedict’s reagent (from blue to orange).
 Test tube 2: No color change was observed in the test tube
with iodine solution (remains brick red/yellow).
 Interpretation (discussion):
According to the results, a color change was observed in the test
tube with Benedict’s reagent indicating the presence of glucose in
the water. However, no color change was observed in the test
tube with iodine solution indicating the absence of starch in
water.
Therefore, the membrane is permeable to glucose and not
permeable to starch; and that is because glucose is a
monosaccharide so it is able to diffuse out of or into the
membrane easily, unlike starch which is a polysaccharide.