FUNCTION OF THE CELL MEMBRANE: ACTIVE TRANSPORT

EXPERIMENT NO. 4

This experiment will demonstrate and explain how active transport occurs in the
cell membrane of the cells, which has the capability to trap important ions. In addition, this
experiment will also explain the importance of ATP in transporting molecule through the
cell membrane in the cell, as well as help the students to appreciate the significance of the
cell membrane in facilitating the in and out transport of molecules in the cell by using the
skin of the frog as an example to be exposed in Ringers solution and cyanide.

Reyes, Christian Aurelio

Romero, Kristine Joy V.
Sandoval, Lester Isaac
Santos, Stephanie Ann
HUB42

July 11, 2008

Mrs. Hazel Ann L. Tabo
1.0 Introduction

The Cell membrane plays an important role in the nutrient taking of the cell.
Cell membrane has a selective permeability which only means that it serves as a
barrier on which molecules or ions should enter the cell. Some substances that has a
hard time on entering the cell such as glucose, some amino acids, ions like sodium
and potassium. Cell membrane has two different process that helps these substances
to enter in the cell through passive or active transport.
Active transport requires input of energy it is endergonic and occurs only
when coupled to an exergonic process. It is a important process for the cell in
uptake of essential nutrients for cell growth. It also allows the secretory products
and waste materials to be removed from the cell, as well as it allows the cell to
maintain constant, nonequilibrium intracellular concentration of specific inorganic
ions.(Becker, 2004)

Materials and Methods

Active Transport Demonstration in Frog skin bag

The skin was cut from the leg part 1cm above the knee. It was turned inside
out and measure using the analytical balance. It was immersed into a beaker with Ringers
solution for 10 minutes with occasional stirring and blot dry with the use of tissue paper,
weighed, and quickly immersed again in the Ringers solution, weighed at a 10 minute
interval, that was done in three trial. The area of the skin frog was computed, as well as the
rate of active transport.

Effect of Cyanide in Active transport

In testing the effect of cyanide in frog skin, the skin was cutted from the
other leg of the frog 1cm above the knee. It was tied on both ends that was filled with
Ringers solution and 0.02M NaCN with the ration of 25:25. It was placed on the beaker
that is also filled with the same ration of Ringers solution and 0.02M NaCN. It was weigh
at 10 minutes interval for 30 minutes. It was done in three trials, and the area of the skin
was measured as well as the rate of active transport

Results

Decreasing weight of Skin frog immersed in Ringers Solution and Increasing

weight of skin frog immersed in cyanide.

Ringer's Sol'n Weight Cyanide

1.8g In. Wt 2.2g
1.9g 1st trial 1.9g
2.2g 2nd trial 1.8g
2.3g 3rd trial 1.6g
See Appendix A

Discusion
Ringers solution is made up of NaCl, KCl, CaCl2 and NaHCO3 , that is used to
isolated organs in vitro. When Na actively transportes to extracellular fluid that is lies
beneath the skin the K has been pumped out. In the experiment the skin frog was turned
inside out so that the Na are transported from the inside to the surrounding medium . The
result in the weight of the skin decrease instead of increase, the error maybe is the Ringers
solution wasnt absorbed well by the skin, or it was not properly blot dried. In cyanide the
result in the skin weight of the frog increased instead of decreased maybe the same error
occurred.

Conclusion
We conclude that active transport is a necessary process in our cells, it occurs in the
cell membrane that helps to manipulate the enter and exit of molecules and ions in the cell
that is important for the cell growth and chemical reactions. This process requires energy
so that it will transport simultaneously, it moves material acroos the cell membrane and up
the concentration gradient.
Literature cited|:
Becker, W.M., L.J. Kleinsmith and J. Hardin. 2004. The World of the Cell 5th Ed.
U.S.A Benjamin Cummings.

Tortora, G.J., B.R. Funke., and C.L. Case. 2001. Microbiology: An Introduction 7th
Ed. U.S.A: Addison Wesley Longman Inc.
 Appendix A

Computation:

Given: Ringer's Soln Cyanide

W1= 1.02 1.5
W2(1)= 1.5 6.56
W2(2)= 1.28 4.32
W2(3)= 1.41 2.21
A= 14 35
L= 7 10
W= 2 3.5
t= 10 10

Formulas:
R = W1 W2 A =LxW
t

= 1.02-1.5 = 1.5-6.56
10 10
14 35
= -0.48 =-0.68 = -5.06 = -17.45
0.71 .29

= 1.02- 1.28 = 1.5-4.32

10 10
14 35
= -0.26 =-0.37 = -2.82 = -9.72
 0.71 .29

= 1.02-1.41 = 1.5- 2.21

10 10
14 35
= -0.39 = -0.55 = -0.71 = -2.45
0.71 .29

Area
= (2)(7) =(3.5)(10)
=14 = 35