Cell Structure Lab

The Living Environment Lab classes have become very familiar with the differences between an animal cell and a plant cell. In lab class they have observed each type of cell under the microscope while sketching the parts of the cell. Hypotonic and Hypertonic solutions were poured onto the cell to see its effects. In the case of the hypertonic solution (salt water), the student observed a shrinkage of the cell. This is the same type of outcome that would occur if salt water was poured in the soil of a plant. A diffusion lab was also performed in which a semi-permeable membrane was filled with glucose and starch. Small molecules would diffuse through the membrane while larger molecules would not. Students also observed osmosis, which is the diffusion of water through a semi-permeable membrane into a solution where the solvent concentration was higher. Color changes inside the cell and a color change of the solution outside of the cell gave an indicator if starch and/or glucose were detected.

Ms. Farrell

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Topics: 9Ninth Grade
Date: Tuesday, March 1st, 2011 5:01 pm