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BIO - Hamdan - 2300707 - Lab 3.09

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32 views2 pages

BIO - Hamdan - 2300707 - Lab 3.09

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jittleyang
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Graded Assignment SCI203A: Biology | Unit 3 | Lessons 10 and 11: Laboratory: Determining the Rate of Diffusion

Name: Suhyb Hamdan Date: 10/14/24

INVESTIGATION: CELL SHAPE AND SIZE 1 30 POINTS


Go to content 3.09, slide 3, Part 1: Diffusion and Cell Size (continued).

You will find 3 agar blocks. Move each agar cube over the ruler to measure its length in centimeters. We will
assume that each block is a cube (equal in length, width, and height). Based off your measurements, determine
1. surface area, 2. volume, 3. surface area to volume ratios for each cube.

Helpful Math Hints:


In a cube, length = width = height. A cube has 6 sides.
Surface Area of a cube is calculated 6 x length x width.
Volume of a cube is calculated length x width x height.
Surface Area-to-Volume Ratio is calculated Surface Area ÷ Volume

Data Table 1: Agar Cube Ratios (9 points)

SURFACE AREA (SA) VOLUME (V) SURFACE AREA/VOLUME


RATIO (SA/V)
SMALL CUBE 6cm² 1cm³ 6/1=6

MEDIUM CUBE 24cm² 8cm³ 3

LARGE CUBE 54cm² 27cm³ 2

Data Table 2: Diffusion Rates (3 points)

Each agar block was placed in vinegar for 5 minutes. The distance the vinegar diffused can be measured by
finding the distance from the outer edge of the block to the pink edge inside the block. Measure the diffusion
distance for each block. Then, calculate the diffusion rate by dividing the distance (mm) by the time (min).

DISTANCE VINEGAR DIFFUSED DIFFUSION RATE (mm / minute)

SMALL CUBE 3mm 0.6mm / min

MEDIUM CUBE 3mm 0.6mm / min

LARGE CUBE 3mm 0.6mm / min

© 2006 K12 Inc. All rights reserved. Page 1 of 2


Copying or distributing without K12’s written consent is prohibited.
Graded Assignment SCI203A: Biology | Unit 3 | Lessons 10 and 11: Laboratory: Determining the Rate of Diffusion

Go to content 3.09, slide 4, Part 1: Diffusion and Cell Size (continued).

Now consider the total amount of time it takes to reach the center of cells of different sizes. Examine the results
in this data table that shows the time for the vinegar to reach the center of each cube.

Data Table 3: CUBE SIZE AND TIME FOR VINEGAR TO REACH CENTER

SMALL CUBE 8.3

MEDIUM CUBE 16.7

LARGE CUBE 25.0

ANALYSIS QUESTIONS:

1. How does the surface area-to-volume ratio of a small cell compare to that of a large cell? (2 points)

The larger the cell, the smaller the surface area to volume ratio.

2. What do the results of the agar blocks indicate about the relationship between cell size and time for
materials to reach the center of the cell? (2 points)

The larger the cell, the worse it will be, since the diffusion rate would be the same.

3. How does being small help cells survive? (2 points)

With the cell being smaller everything reaches the center quickly since they don’t have to travel as far.

4. Include an explanation of how the surface area-to-volume ratio, diffusion rate, and time for substances
to reach the center are related. Support your explanation with data. (6 points)

A cell needs materials to move quickly in and out of its interior. The larger the cell grows, the greater the
time it takes for materials to diffuse to the center of a cell. A cell’s size does not affect the rate of
diffusion, but in a small cell materials do not have to travel as far, unlike in a larger cell.

5. How does being made of many cells help large organisms maintain homeostasis? (6 points)
If it’s made of many cells, it helps by evenly distributing the effort.

© 2006 K12 Inc. All rights reserved. Page 2 of 2


Copying or distributing without K12’s written consent is prohibited.

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