Membrane Diffusion Lab
In this investigation, you will explore the process of diffusion across a semi-permeable cell membrane.
Part 1:
1. Go to the following website: http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/membrane-channels
2. Click “Run Now” (bright green)
3. Add 5 blue “Gated Channels” – space them out evenly
a. Make sure the channels are closed
4. Let the green dots represent solute (like salt) and the blue diamonds represent water molecules
5. Add 20 green dots and 20 blue diamonds into the top section of the cell (let this be the inside of the cell)
6. Add 40 blue diamonds to the bottom section of the cell (let this be the outside of the cell)
7. Is the cell “hypotonic”, “hypertonic” or “isotonic” to the surrounding fluid? Explain.
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8. You are about to open both of the channels at the same time, what do you expect to happen?
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9. Open both types of channels at the same time and begin a timer for 15 seconds.
10. After 15 seconds, pause the simulation and count how many green dots and blue diamonds are one each
side of the cell membrane.
Inside of Cell (top of simulation) Outside of cell (bottom of simulation)
Water molecules Water molecules
Solute (green dots) Solute (green dots)
(blue diamonds) (blue diamonds)
0 seconds 20 20 0 40
15 Seconds
30 Seconds
45 Seconds
60 Seconds
11. If you could see this cell and could watch this happen, what would you see the cell do?
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Part 2:
12. Click the “Clear Particles” icon
13. Add 20 green dots and 40 blue diamonds into the top section of the cell (let this be the inside of the cell)
14. Add 20 blue diamonds to the bottom section of the cell (let this be the outside of the cell)
15. Is the cell “hypotonic”, “hypertonic” or “isotonic” to the surrounding fluid? Explain.
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16. You are about to open both of the channels at the same time, what do you expect to happen?
______________________________________________________________________________________
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17. Open both types of channels at the same time and begin a timer for 15 seconds.
18. After 15 seconds, pause the simulation and count how many green dots and blue diamonds are one each
side of the cell membrane.
Inside of Cell (top of simulation) Outside of cell (bottom of simulation)
Solute (green Water molecules Solute (green Water molecules (blue
dots) (blue diamonds) dots) diamonds)
0 seconds 20 40 0 20
15 Seconds
30 Seconds
45 Seconds
60 Seconds
19. If you could see this cell and could watch this happen, what would you see the cell do?
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Part 3:
20. Click the “Clear Particles” icon
21. Add 20 green dots and 40 blue diamonds into the top section of the cell (let this be the inside of the cell)
22. Add 40 blue diamonds to the bottom section of the cell (let this be the outside of the cell)
23. Is the cell “hypotonic”, “hypertonic” or “isotonic” to the surrounding fluid? Explain.
______________________________________________________________________________________
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24. You are about to open both of the channels at the same time, what do you expect to happen?
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
25. Open both types of channels at the same time and begin a timer for 15 seconds.
26. After 15 seconds, pause the simulation and count how many green dots and blue diamonds are one each
side of the cell membrane.
Inside of Cell (top of simulation) Outside of cell (bottom of simulation)
Solute (green Water molecules Solute (green Water molecules
dots) (blue diamonds) dots) (blue diamonds)
0 seconds 20 40 0 40
15 Seconds
30 Seconds
45 Seconds
60 Seconds
27. If you could see this cell and could watch this happen, what would you see the cell do?
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28. Construct a graph. But, before you do, answer the following questions:
a. What do you think is the important information to graph?
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b. Is the data you chose to graph, relevant to our lab?
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c. What type of graph should you create (i.e. line graph, bar graph, pie chart, etc.)? Why?
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29. What can you learn by looking at your graph?
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30. Use your graph to make a claim about this investigation.
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