Osmosis Experiment

Osmosis Experiment
Dennis M. Feliciano
Grand Canyon University
BIO100L Biology Concepts Lab
June 25, 2011

Osmosis Experiment

Materials

Grapes (unblemished)
Raisins (larger is better)
Water
Salt
Four small containers (i.e., drinking cups or clear glasses)
A metric ruler

Methods and Procedure
Place 1 cup (236 ml) of water in each of the 4 containers.
In 2 of the containers, add 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) of table salt and mix well.
Measure the length and width of a raisin and place it in 1 of the plain water containers. Measure the length and width of a second raisin and place it in one of the salt water containers.
Measure the length and width of a grape and place it in the second of the plain water containers. Measure the length and width of a second grape and place it in the second of the salt water containers.
After 1 hour, remove and measure the length and width of each piece of fruit and return it to the appropriate container. Note any physical changes in the fruit and describe their appearance.
After 24 hours, remove and measure the length and width of each piece of fruit. Note any physical changes in the fruit and describe their appearance.

Written Lab Report

Introduction
Address the following questions:
Define osmosis.
Osmosis is a physical-chemical process associated with the behavior of water as a solvent in a solution to a semipermeable membrane to the solvent (water) but not the solutes. Such behaviour involves a simple diffusion through the membrane of water without expending energy. Osmosis is an important biological phenomenon for cellular physiology of living things.

State a prediction for each experiment (all 4).
I predict that the raisin submersed in the fresh water solution will expand and increase in size. The grape submersed in the fresh water solution will not change in size. The raisin submersed in the salt water will absorb water until the water solute level is balanced. The grape submersed in the salt... [continues]

Read full essay