Investigating the Effect of Temperature on the Permeability of the Cell Membrane of Beetroot
Aim: In this investigation I will be measuring the effects of temperature on the membrane permeability of beetroot. I will be measuring the amount of anthocyanin that will diffuse out of the beetroot. The way in which I will measure the anthocyanin is to check the light absorbency of the solution using a colorimeter. The higher the reading on colorimeter the more anthocyanin present in the solution
To find out the permeability of the beetroot membrane I will firstly cut out cylinders of beetroot using a cork borer, I will slice them into a certain width and then place them into distilled water at different temperatures. Using a colorimeter I will measure the anthocyanin that will diffuse into the distilled water, the higher the reading of the colorimeter the more anthocyanin leaked out by the beetroot hence a higher the rate of diffusion.
Equipment Reasons for use…
Colorimeter The colorimeter will measure the amount of light absorbed by the pigment in beetroot. The higher concentration of anthocyanin equals a higher reading on the colorimeter. A colorimeter will give an accurate measurement of the light absorbed by the pigment. The precision of the colorimeter is to two decimal places. I must make sure the cuvette has no finger prints on the clear side as the prints may absorb light itself making my results inaccurate.
Measuring cylinder The measuring cylinder will be used to ensure accuracy, and increase precision in the volume of water that I will be using. It will be used to measure the amount of water that the beetroot will be placed into; it must be the same for all the tests as the volume of water will affect the concentration of the pigment. If the concentration is different I will not be able to accurately compare the results and draw a fair conclusion. When measuring the volume of water it will be measured from where the meniscus sits, the meniscus must sit on the amount of water that I will use; this will in turn ensure accuracy, the precision of
To find out the permeability of the beetroot membrane I will firstly cut out cylinders of beetroot using a cork borer, I will slice them into a certain width and then place them into distilled water at different temperatures. Using a colorimeter I will measure the anthocyanin that will diffuse into the distilled water, the higher the reading of the colorimeter the more anthocyanin leaked out by the beetroot hence a higher the rate of diffusion.
Equipment Reasons for use…
Colorimeter The colorimeter will measure the amount of light absorbed by the pigment in beetroot. The higher concentration of anthocyanin equals a higher reading on the colorimeter. A colorimeter will give an accurate measurement of the light absorbed by the pigment. The precision of the colorimeter is to two decimal places. I must make sure the cuvette has no finger prints on the clear side as the prints may absorb light itself making my results inaccurate.
Measuring cylinder The measuring cylinder will be used to ensure accuracy, and increase precision in the volume of water that I will be using. It will be used to measure the amount of water that the beetroot will be placed into; it must be the same for all the tests as the volume of water will affect the concentration of the pigment. If the concentration is different I will not be able to accurately compare the results and draw a fair conclusion. When measuring the volume of water it will be measured from where the meniscus sits, the meniscus must sit on the amount of water that I will use; this will in turn ensure accuracy, the precision of