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BIO 01L: LABORATORY REPORT

Name: Llanmer Estillore, Pete Godfrey Sarador Grade/Block: 12-E5

EXERCISE 3: Transport Mechanisms(Diffusion)

Transport mechanism is the combination of methods that controls the passage of

solutes that include such substances as salts and sugars through biological membranes,

which are lipid bilayers that contain proteins embedded in them (Roisen, 2018). As

materials regularly move in and out of the cell, selective permeability of the cell

membrane allows some materials to pass through it, but neglects others. A vast amount

of exchange is needed to acquire function if the cells proceed to their life cycles. It is of

original significance to the cell that it has the option to ship particles all through itself.

Given the significance of membrane transport, cells use a wide scope of transport

components. The vehicle instrument that doesn't need energy for substances to go

through the membrane is called inactive/passive transport. Dissemination and

assimilation (Diffusion and Osmosis) is grouped under passive transports. Diffusion is the

net uninvolved movement of atoms or particles from higher regions to smaller focus

areas. There must be a slope of focus for the dissemination to happen.Dissimilarity

between the two regions in the sum of solutes, fragments, or molecules can allow them

to shift between the two regions (Clark, 2017). In order to equalize the difference of

concentrations, the differential concentration of the particles for two fluids can produce

a gradient that will incite them to shift. However, solute motion during the diffusion

process is not a one-way path ( Smith, 2018 ). There may be rising and falling motions.

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But the movement is focused toward the lower concentration area. Thus, diffusion is

characterized by a net migration of the substance down its concentration gradient or, in

other words, from the region of higher concentration to the area of lower concentration

( Buntting, 2018 ).

Hypothesis: The rate of diffusion in a liquid will be faster than in a semisolid. A greater

concentration gradient will cause a faster rate of diffusion. Iodine, glucose, and starch will

be able to diffuse across the dialysis tubing membrane because they are the same molecular

size.

Objectives: To determine the effect of molecular size, concentration gradient, and density

of media to the rate of diffusion.

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METHODOLOGY

Effect of Concentration on the Rate of Diffusion in a Semi Solid

There were three dishes containing a semisolid being prepared. A single crystal was

placed on the first dish, three crystals were placed on the second dish, and six crystals

were placed on the third dish. A ten-minute interval was observed in measuring the

diffusion spot diameter for each dish. The measuring of each diffusion spot diameter

ends at exactly 30 minutes, the measurements were recorded in millimeter(mm). Based

on the data gathered for the diameter of the diffusion spot and its time, the rate of

diffusion was also recorded(mm/hr).

Effect of Density of Media on the Rate of Diffusion

Distilled water was added in an empty dish. A crystal was then added to the dish

containing distilled water. After 15 minutes, data was gathered to measure the diffusion

spot diameter and its average diffusion rate from time zero (mm/hr). An agar dish was

prepared for the second observation. A crystal was then added to it. After 15 minutes,

the diffusion spot diameter measurement was recorded together with its rate of

diffusion. The two data were then compared.

Diffusion Across a Selectively Permeable Membrane

A dialysis tubing and a beaker was prepared. Glucose and starch were added in the

dialysis tubing while water and iodine were added inside the beaker. The dialysis tubing

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was then tied and was placed inside the beaker containing the mixture of water and

iodine. A glucose test strip was inserted into the beaker to test for glucose. The results

were recorded and were compared to the charts. After disposing the test strip, the

solution was given ten minutes to diffuse. After ten minutes, a glucose test strip was

inserted again to the solution for testing. The dialysis tubing and the beaker was

separated for observation. Their respective colors were analyzed to indicate the

presence of starch and iodine. All data was recorded.

Movement of Water Across a Selectively Permeable Membrane

A beaker with a thistle tube was prepared. A selectively permeable membrane was

attached at the bottom of the thistle tube. 10% corn syrup was added inside the thistle

tube and distilled water was added inside the beaker. After ten minutes, the volume of

liquid inside the tube was measured and recorded. In the second phase, the same

procedures were used except for the corn syrup which is now 20%. The third phase also

has the same procedures except for the corn syrup again which is now 30%. All data was

recorded for each phase.

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Effect of concentration on the rate of diffusion in a semi-solid

The table shows the data gathered during the experiment. Data was recorded after

three ten-minute intervals. The rate of diffusion was calculated by dividing the diameter

of the diffusion spot to fifteen minutes, multiplied to sixty minutes. ​From the results

gathered, the diffusion spot of the crystals increases its diameter as the time also

increases (Figure 1.1 & Graph 1.1). Molecules are continually traveling at a random rate

that depends on their density, atmosphere and thermal energy levels, which are

depending on temperature. This movement is responsible for the spread of molecules

through every medium in which they are situated. A material continues to pass through

every available space until it is uniformly distributed. Once a material has finally diffused

through an environment losing the concentration gradient, molecules can still move in

the environment but the amount of molecules from one region to another will not move

specifically. High concentration of substances have a bigger diffusion spot diameter than

those with low level of concentration. Concentration affects the rate of diffusion of a

semisolid. The more the substance distribution comes to balance, the slower the

diffusion rate (Figure 1.2 & Graph 1.2).

Time  Diffusion Spot  Diffusion Spot Diameter 3  Diffusion Spot Diameter 6 

(min)  Diameter 1 Crystal  Crystals (mm)  Crystals (mm) 

(mm) 

10  14  18  20 

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20  16  24  30 

30  17  28  37 

Figure 1.1. Shows the data gathered of the diffusion spot diameter of the crystals

every after 10 minutes.

Changes of diffusion spot diameter per 10 minutes

Graph 1.1. The data gathered of the diffusion spot diameter of the crystals every after 10

minutes.

Time  Rate of  Rate of Diffusion for 3 Crystals (mm/hr)  Rate of Diffusion for 6 

(min)  Diffusion for 1  Crystals (mm/hr) 

Crystal (mm/hr) 

0-10  84  108  120 

0-20  48  72  90 

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0-30  34  56  74 

Figure 1.2. ​The rate of diffusion of the crystals every 10 minutes.

Diffusion rate of the number of crystals

Graph 1.2.​ ​The rate of diffusion of the crystals every 10 minutes.

Effect of density of media on the rate of diffusion

The table below shows the data gathered during the experiment. The rate of

diffusion was calculated by dividing the diameter of the diffusion spot to fifteen

minutes, multiplied to sixty minutes. ​Solvent properties such as viscosity and density

have a direct effect on diffusion. ​Evidently, solvents in liquids have a higher rate of

diffusion than when it is in a semi solid solute. The rate of diffusion is faster with less

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dense solvents. ​This is because the molecules slow down as they have a more difficult

time getting through the denser medium. Cells primarily use diffusion to move materials

within the cytoplasm so, any increase in the cytoplasm’s density will inhibit the

movement of the materials. ​The diffusion spot diameter with one crystal at 15 min and

its rate of diffusion decreases if the substance is denser (Figure 2). The molecules slow

down because the denser medium is more demanding. The diffusion increases as the

material is less thick (Libretexts, 2020).

Media  Diffusion spot diameter with  Rate of diffusion with one crystal 

one crystal at 15 min (mm)  (mm/h) 

Liquid     

(water) 
60  240 

Semisolid     

(agar)  15  60 

Figure 2. ​Diameter of the diffusion spot of the crystal and its rate of diffusion in the basis

of different media such as water and agar.

Diffusion across a selectively permeable membrane

The table consists of the data garnered from the experiment. It shows the status of

the presence of glucose, starch and iodine in both the tubing and beaker before and

after diffusion. ​Before the diffusion, the tubing membrane was clear and the substances

present inside the tubing were Glucose and Starch while the beaker was brown in color

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and the substances present were water and Iodine (Figure 3.1). Semi-permeable

membranes or partly permeable diaphragms also known as selectively permeable

membranes facilitate the diffusion of a few molecules or ions. Diffusion moves material

across membranes and cells. (Libretexts, 2020). After the diffusion, only starch remained

non-existent in the beaker. The tubing membrane became opaque and its color

changed to brown. The substances that were present in the tubing are Glucose, Starch,

and Iodine while the beaker was still brown in color and the substances that were

present in the beaker are Glucose, Iodine, and water (Figure 3.2). This shows that the

dialysis tubing was permeable to smaller molecules such as glucose and iodine, are the

ones who can be diffused.

  Before Diffusion  After Diffusion 

Glucose in  Yes  Yes 

Glucose in  No  Yes 

Starch in  Yes  Yes 

Starch in  No  No 

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Iodine in  No  Yes 

Iodine in  Yes  Yes 

Beaker
image

Figure 3.1. T​he beaker and the tubing membrane before and after diffusion.

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CONCLUSION

Multiple factors affect the rate of diffusion from a certain substance, this includes

density, concentration, and size. The rate of diffusion is affected by the substance’s density

hence, the greater the density;the slower diffusion occurs and vice-versa. Since liquids are

less dense, this explains why diffusion occurs the fastest in liquids than in semisolids.

Increase in the concentration gradient will cause the rate of diffusion to increase, as diffusion

occurs based on the molecular size. Iodine and glucose are much smaller molecules than

starch; therefore, they were able to diffuse.

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LITERATURE CITED

Bush, J. (2019, March 02). Chemistry Projects for Diffusion in Liquids. Retrieved
September 21, 2020, from​
​https://sciencing.com/chemistry-projects-diffusion-liquids-19462.html
Diffusion - Definition and Examples - Biology Online Dictionary. (2020, July 24). ​Biology
Articles, Tutorials & Dictionary Online.
https://www.biologyonline.com/dictionary/diffusion
Libretexts. (2020, August 15). 5.2C: Diffusion. Retrieved September 21, 2020, from
https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_and_General_Biology/Book:_Gener
al_Bi
ology_(Boundless)/5:_Structure_and_Function_of_Plasma_Membranes/5.2:_Passive_Tr
ansp ort/5.2C:_Diffusion

Libretexts. (2020, August 15). 2.13: Diffusion. Retrieved September 23, 2020, from
https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_and_General_Biology/Book:_Int
roductory_Biology_(CK-12)/02:_Cell_Biology/2.13:_Diffusion

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