Cells: Investigating Cell Membrane Permeability Practical Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the aim of this practical?

A
  • The aim is to investigate how different variables (e.g temperature and solvent concentration) affect cell membrane permeability by doing experiments using beetroot
  • Beetroot cells contain a coloured pigment that leaks out - the higher the permeability of the membrane, the more pigment leaks out of the cell
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2
Q

Describe how to carry out this practical

A
  • Use a scalpel to cut five equal sized pieces of beetroot. Rinse the pieces to remove any pigment released during cuttinf
  • Add five pieces to five different test tubes, each containing 5cm3 of water
  • Place each test tube in a water bath at a different temperature, for the same length of time
  • Remove pieces of beetroot from tubes, leaving the coloured liquid
  • Switch a colorimeter on and use blue filter
  • Add distilled water to a cuvette and put in colorimter and calibrate machine to zero
  • Transfer sample of liquid from first test tube to a clean cuvette
  • Place in colorimter and record absorbance of solution
  • Repeat with other solutions
  • Analyse results - the higher the absorbance reading, the more pigment released, so the higher the permeability of membrane
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