Membrane Lab Report 
The Effects of Various Chemicals and Temperature on Membrane Permeability of Beetroot
Name: Ghazal Daneshfar
E-mail: GDANES200@caledonian.ac.uk
Student ID: S1312108
INTRODUCTION
The cell membrane consists of mostly phospholipids and proteins which gives the cell its selectively permeable nature. The function and permeability of the cell membrane depends on its whole structure. When destroyed, the permeability of the cell membrane is disrupted causing cellular contents to leak out. When cells are cut, the cell membranes are mechanically ruptured. High temperature disrupts the structure of proteins and certain chemicals such as acetone and methanol dissolve the phospholipids, leading to damage of the membrane and therefore leads to increased permeability.
Beetroot is the material used in this experiment to demonstrate the effects of high temperature and chemicals on the permeability of the cell membranes. Beetroot contains a red pigment called betacyanin, which is located in the large central vacuole of the beetroot cells. The vacuole is enclosed by a single membrane called tonoplast and the whole cell is enclosed by cell membrane made up of phospholipids. As long as the cells and their membranes are intact, the pigment will remain inside the vacuoles. However, if the membranes are damaged, betacyanin will leak out and produce a red colour in the surrounding water. More cells being damaged will cause a higher red colour intensity in the solution. The beetroot cylinders were repeatedly washed following cutting until not more colour appeared in the wash water.
The aim of this experiment is to observe the effect of physical and chemical stress on the membrane permeability of beetroot.
METHOD
A large beetroot was washed with water. 14 cylinders were cut, all to the exact length (approx. 1cm with all the skin removed, including each ends) using a cork borer (approx. 10mm diameter). All of the beetroot cylinders were washed under running tap water for
Name: Ghazal Daneshfar
E-mail: GDANES200@caledonian.ac.uk
Student ID: S1312108
INTRODUCTION
The cell membrane consists of mostly phospholipids and proteins which gives the cell its selectively permeable nature. The function and permeability of the cell membrane depends on its whole structure. When destroyed, the permeability of the cell membrane is disrupted causing cellular contents to leak out. When cells are cut, the cell membranes are mechanically ruptured. High temperature disrupts the structure of proteins and certain chemicals such as acetone and methanol dissolve the phospholipids, leading to damage of the membrane and therefore leads to increased permeability.
Beetroot is the material used in this experiment to demonstrate the effects of high temperature and chemicals on the permeability of the cell membranes. Beetroot contains a red pigment called betacyanin, which is located in the large central vacuole of the beetroot cells. The vacuole is enclosed by a single membrane called tonoplast and the whole cell is enclosed by cell membrane made up of phospholipids. As long as the cells and their membranes are intact, the pigment will remain inside the vacuoles. However, if the membranes are damaged, betacyanin will leak out and produce a red colour in the surrounding water. More cells being damaged will cause a higher red colour intensity in the solution. The beetroot cylinders were repeatedly washed following cutting until not more colour appeared in the wash water.
The aim of this experiment is to observe the effect of physical and chemical stress on the membrane permeability of beetroot.
METHOD
A large beetroot was washed with water. 14 cylinders were cut, all to the exact length (approx. 1cm with all the skin removed, including each ends) using a cork borer (approx. 10mm diameter). All of the beetroot cylinders were washed under running tap water for
References: Reed,R; Holmes, D; Weyes, J and Jones, A. Practical Skills in Biomolecular Sciences, 4th Ed., 2013, Longman Willis, J. (2004) Data Analysis and Presentation Skills: An Introduction for the Life and Medical Sciences. Wiley, Chichester. APPENDIX- Safety Assessment 1. General Aspects Gloves must be worn at all times to protect from pigment staining. Safety glasses must also be worn throughout the lab to protect the eyes from chemicals. Potential injury may arise from razor blades and cork borers. Lab coats must be fully fastened to protect clothes from staining. 2. Chemical Hazards The solvents (acetone and methanol) should not be inhaled as it can cause damage to mucous membranes. They can also cause damage to skin permeability barrier. 3. Disposal of Material and Equipment All gloves and pipette sleeves must be disposed of in the blue waste bins. The used pasteurs and cuvettes go in the pots on the bench. All of the other items go into separate white buckets. Bottles containing solvents must never be emptied.