Part II.

Osmosis

Osmosis is the diffusion of water (or other substance) across a differentially permeable membrane. Water, like
other molecules, diffuses from a region of relatively high concentration (higher free energy) to a region of lower
concentration (lower free energy). Although water molecules move in both directions across a selectively permeable
membrane, when the concentration of water molecules is higher on one side of a membrane their net movement is toward
the side where they are less concentrated. The molecules will continue to diffuse down the concentration gradient until
they reach equilibrium on both sides of the membrane, i.e. the concentration of water molecules is the same on both
sides. In terms of energetics the free energy level within the system is minimal.

Osmosis demonstration using an artificial membrane

Procedure:
1. Prepare a 20 cm piece of dialysis tubing by soaking it in tap water for a few minutes.
2. After soaking the dialysis tubing in water to soften it, open the tubing and close one end using a tubing clamp to form a bag.
3. Fill the bag about full with recycled corn syrup solution, gently squeeze it to displace the air, and close the end with a
dialysis tubing clamp. Carefully rinse the outside of the filled bag with water, and gently pat it dry with a paper towel.
Immediately (time 0) weigh the bag (to minimize the effects of evaporation), record the weight in Table 2, and immediately
place the bag into a 600 mL beaker filled with 500 mL tap water.
4. After 15 minutes remove the bag from the water, dry and weigh it as before, and quickly returning it to the beaker of water.
Record the weight as before.
5. Repeat the weighing and recording process after 30, 45 and 60 minutes.
6. Using the weights you have recorded calculate the net change (gain or loss) in weight for each time period. Net increase =
(New weight in g Initial weight in g). Record the net net weight changes in their respective spaces in Table 2 (p. 4).
7. Using the weights you have recorded calculate the percentage of weight change at each interval as follows:
% change = (new wt in grams- initial wt in grams/initial wt in grams) X 100
8. Plot the percentage results on graph 2 (Figure 2, p.5). Note that the net change may be either a positive number (gain) or a
negative number (loss).

Table 2 Weights for Dialysis Tubing

Time Intervals (min.)
0 15 30 45 60
Initial Weight (g) 32 32 32 32 32
(Does not change)
New Weight (g) ----- 36 39 42 44
Net Gain or Loss (g) ----- +4 +7 +10 +12
% Change in -----
mass* 12.5% 21.87% 31.25% 37.5%
*Percent change in mass = (new wt initial wt) / initial wt X 100

Questions:
1. Was there a change in the weight of the dialysis bag? Briefly explain what happened and why using the
terms hypertonic, hypotonic and osmosis.

2. The diagram below represents the dialysis bag and the beaker of water in which it was placed. Label the
solution inside the dialysis bag and the solution inside the beaker as hypertonic or hypotonic. Using
an arrow, indicate the direction in which water flowed: into, or out of the model cell (dialysis bag).

Beaker

Dialysis Bag