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Surface Area To Volume Ratio Practical

This document describes an experiment that uses agar cubes of different sizes as model cells to investigate how surface area to volume ratio (SA:V) affects diffusion. Smaller cubes with a higher SA:V ratio are expected to show more diffusion of the indicator phenolphthalein into the cubes when placed in sodium hydroxide solution. The results support that diffusion decreases with lower SA:V as larger cubes show less color change from the indicator over time. This relationship to cell size demonstrates how diffusion limits cell growth, as larger cells would not receive sufficient resources through diffusion to survive.

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Alexander Ford-York
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301 views3 pages

Surface Area To Volume Ratio Practical

This document describes an experiment that uses agar cubes of different sizes as model cells to investigate how surface area to volume ratio (SA:V) affects diffusion. Smaller cubes with a higher SA:V ratio are expected to show more diffusion of the indicator phenolphthalein into the cubes when placed in sodium hydroxide solution. The results support that diffusion decreases with lower SA:V as larger cubes show less color change from the indicator over time. This relationship to cell size demonstrates how diffusion limits cell growth, as larger cells would not receive sufficient resources through diffusion to survive.

Uploaded by

Alexander Ford-York
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name:_____________________________ Date:___________

1.1 How does SA:V ratio affect diffusion in cells using agar cubes as model cells and how does this limit
cell size

Introduction:
Diffusion is one of the very important processes by which substances such as nutrients, water, oxygen, and
cellular waste are transported between living cells and their environment. This activity will help you explore
the relationship between diffusion and cell size by experimenting with model “cells.”

In this experiment, you will use agar cubes to which the indicator phenolphthalein has been added.
Phenolphthalein is an acid/base indicator that is pink in the presence of a base (alkali) but transparent in acids.

How does the cell surface area to volume ratio affect the efficiency of diffusion?
Hypothesis
What do you think will happen and why? (2)

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Equipment:
 Agar block with phenolphthalein indicator
 0.1M NaOH (sodium hydroxide)
 A ruler
 Knife
 Spoon
 Large beaker
 Timer

Safety:
0.1M NaOH solution is a weak alkali. Avoid contact with skin and wash hands after use. Wear googles.

Method:
1. Use the ruler and knife to make five different sized cubes of agar. 10mm, 20mm, 30mm, 40mm & 50mm

cubes. CUT AS ACCURATELY AS POSSIBLE.


2. Collect five beakers (they can be different sizes beakers) and place enough sodium hydroxide to cover each

cube.

3. Immerse your all five cubes in the sodium hydroxide solution at the same time, and start the timer.

4. Let the cubes soak and periodically, gently stir the solution, or turn the cubes over.

5. During this time, you can design your results table. What columns will you need?

6. When the smallest volume cube has completely changed colour, use a spoon or tongs to remove the cubes

from the sodium hydroxide solution.

7. Blot the with a paper towel.

8. Promptly cut each cube in half and measure the depth the volume of the uncoloured part of the cube..

9. Record your measurements for the uncoloured cube in a table.

Results/Analysis

1. Calculate the surface area of each cube

2. Calculate the total volume of each cube

3. Calculate the volume of the cube that remained white.

4. Calculate the volume of the region where diffusion took place = (total volume – white cube volume)

5. Calculate the % diffusion for each cube = (Volume diffused /total volume) x 100

6. Calculate the surface area to volume ratio (SA:V). Reduce this ratio into the format SA:1 (where the volume

is always 1, so you can compare the ratios (unitary method).

Use Excel/NUMBERS to create a single table to display all your results. Copy and paste it below. (10)

Analysis

1. Describe what happens to the SA:V ratio as the “cells” get larger. (1)
___________________________________________________________________________________

2. Describe what happens to % diffusion as the “cells” get larger. (1)

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Conclusion

1. What can you conclude about the SA:V ratio of the “cells” and the percentage diffusion? (1)

___________________________________________________________________________________

2. How does this conclusion relate to cells? (1)

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Evaluation

1. What were the errors of uncertainty in your equipment used to make measurements? (1)

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2. Give a suggestion on how you can reduce errors of uncertainty due to equipment/measurements if you were

to carry out the experiment again (1).

___________________________________________________________________________________

3. What were the human errors in this experiment? (1)

___________________________________________________________________________________

4. Give a suggestion on how you can reduce human error if you were to carry out the experiment again (1).

___________________________________________________________________________________

5. Explain how could you improve the reliability of the experiment? (1).

___________________________________________________________________________________

6. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using agar cubes to model cells. (2)

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Total score = /23

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