Lab Worksheet #1, Cells + Osmosis and Diffusion

There will be 2 components to today’s lab listed below as part 1 and part 2.

Part 1 - Background:

The plasma membrane of cells allows some molecules to cross passively (without energy) and without
the aid of transport proteins such as small, nonpolar molecules like oxygen and carbon dioxide. Large
molecules, ions (positive or negative), and polar molecules require the aid of transport proteins to cross
the plasma membrane. In either case, molecules tend to flow in the direction of more space, from more
crowded conditions to less crowded conditions until they are evenly distributed in space (equilibrium).
This process is called diffusion when referring to the movement of solute particles and it is called
osmosis when referring to the movement of water molecules. Diffusion allows cells to receive oxygen
and nutrients when concentrations inside the cell are lower than the outside. Likewise, this allows cells
to get rid of carbon dioxide and waste products when the concentration inside the cell is higher than the
outside. The same is true for water concentration. Thus, all cells rely on osmosis and diffusion to survive.

When cells reach a certain size, they stop growing. Why is that? Have you ever wondered why cells are
so small? Have you ever wondered why multicellular organisms are composed of trillions of tiny cells
rather than millions or thousands of larger cells? Why are cells SO SMALL? In today’s lab, we will have
you explore this question experimentally.

Part 1 – Supplies:

Agar cubes that contain a pH dye that turns pink when the pH exceeds 8 – these represent cells
4% NaOH solution (basic) – this represents nutrients or gases that can diffuse into the cells
Plastic spoons for handling agar cubes
Timers for timing how long the cubes should stay in NaOH
Scalpel for cutting the cubes after they are placed in NaOH
Paper towels for blotting wet agar cubes
Rulers for measuring dimensions of the agar cubes and diffusion distance

Part 1 - Procedure

For steps 2-5, start with the largest cube by itself and then repeat those steps for the smaller cubes
which can be submerged at the same time.

1. Measure the dimensions of your cubes and fill in the table below and round to the nearest
whole number in cm.
2. Place agar cube in a cup of 4% NaOH solution for 5 minutes
3. Remove agar cubes from the 4% NaOH solution with a plastic spoon and blot them dry on a
paper towel
4. For each cube, measure the distance from the edge of the cube to the edge of the pink
5. Enter your data into the table on the following page
6. Graph your results and answer the questions that follow

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(1.5 pt) Part 1 – Data entry and results – Round the “side of cube” values to the nearest whole number

Phenolphthalein – Agar Cubes (2pt)

Side of cube (cm) 1 2 3
Total surface area (cm2)
6 24 54
= # sides x length x width
Volume (cm3)
1 8 27
= (length x width x height)
Surface area to volume ratio
6 3 2
= surface area / volume
Distance from edge to pink (after
0.5 0.5 0.5
NaOH)
Undiffused cube volume
1 1 8
= length x width x height
Percent of volume diffused
= [(total – undiffused) / total] x 100 87.5 70
100

1. (1 pt) Enter your results for “surface area to volume ratio” and “percent of volume diffused” as two
separate columns into Excel. Create a line graph of your data to show how the surface area to
volume ratio of a cube influences the percent of volume that was diffused. The X axis should be the
independent variable and the Y axis should be the dependent variable (ALWAYS). Be sure to include
X and Y axes labels that include appropriate units. Insert your graph below.

105
Percent of Volume Diffused (%)

100
95
90
85
80
75
70
65
60
2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5
Surface Area to Volume Ratio (1/cm)

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2. (1.5 pt) Apply your results to what you have learned so far in this class about what cells need to
survive to answer the question, “Why do cells need to be so small”? Be complete in your answer.

Cells need to be small because the smaller the cells get, the more they can absorb nutrition or whatever
they need. Smaller cells facilitate faster material exchange with their surroundings, which is crucial for
survival. Thus, cells must remain small to maintain their efficiency and functionality.

Part 2 – Background and Procedure

You have learned that cells can be divided into two categories, prokaryotic (bacteria) and eukaryotic
(most everything else). You will examine different types of cells under the microscope and compare
them. This will give you a feel for the scale of different cells and observe visible organelles when
possible. Be sure to observe what the total magnification is on your microscopes.

1. (1.5 pt) Observe Shigella dysenteriae and Trichonomas vaginalis under the microscope. Shigella
dysenteriae causes the intestinal infection called “dysentery” that causes diarrhea, stomach
cramping, and potentially a fever. Trichonomas vaginalis is a common parasite transmitted sexually
that causes pain while urinating and odorous vaginal discharge in women. Compare the cell size of
these two pathogens.

(A) Provide a ratio (e.g. 1:2) for the difference in size between Shigella dysenteria vs. Trichonomas
vaginalis. (B) State whether each pathogen is eukaryotic or prokaryotic and explain how you know?
(C) What do you observe for the number of nuclei and the number of flagella in Trichonomas
vaginalis?
We used 400x for both for both Shigella dysenteriae and Trichomonas vaginalis.
（A） Trichonomas vaginalis 10x to 20x bigger than Shigella dysenteriae. So 1:10
（B） Trichonomas vaginalis: eukaryotic because they have nucleus, Trichonomas vaginalis:
prokaryotic because they do not have nucleus
（C） Trichomonas vaginalis cells contain between 1 and 4 nuclei and flagella.

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2. (1.5 pt) Observe a human blood smear. The white blood cells have been stained with a dye that
binds to DNA and the red blood are not stained. Compare the white blood cells to the red blood cells
and use a chart to identify what type(s) of white blood cells are present.

(A) Based on your observation, what is the approximate ratio of white blood cells to red blood cells
in human blood? (B) State whether each type of cell that you observe is prokaryotic or eukaryotic.
(C) Which type of blood cells lacks a nucleus and why does it lack a nucleus? Hint: think about its
function. (D) What types of white blood cells do you observe and what is their specific function? To
answer this question, use the illustrated guide put out for you.

The magnification for both microscope was 400x.

(A) The proportion of white blood cells to red blood cells is approximately 1:1000.

(B) Since white and red blood cells are supposed to be human cells, both are classified as eukaryotic.

(C) Red blood cells do not have a nucleus, which creates more room for hemoglobin, increasing their
capacity to carry oxygen.

(D) The observed types of white blood cells include:

a. Basophils – produces histamines

b. Neutrophils – eliminate bacteria

c. Eosinophils –eliminate parasites, deactivate immune responses

3. (1 pt) Create a wet mount of your own cheek cells (the instructor will help you) The stain that you
will use binds to DNA. Observe your cheek cells. Can you see the nucleus and plasma membrane?
(A) Take a photo of your cheek cells using your camera phone and email it to yourself. Copy and
paste the image of your cheek cells below. (B) What are the little dark specs that you see on the
outside of the cells and why are they stained a dark color?

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 (B)Bacteria. These are prokaryotic and have DNA, that is why these are dark-color stained.