Question
An osmosis investigation was conducted using chicken
eggs to represent cells with semipermeable membranes.
The mass of each egg was measured to determine how
nuch water diffused into or out of the eggs. The eggs
vere first soaked in vinegar to dissolve the shell. Each
egg was then placed in one of three different solutions
or 24 hours. The table below shows the results of the
nvestigation.
Solution
Vinegar
(95% water)
Corn syrup
(5% water)
Distilled water
(100% water)
OSMOSIS IN CELLS
Average Mass of
Average Mass of
Difference in
Eggs Before Soaking Eggs After Soaking Average Mass
(grams)
(grams)
(grams)
71.2
98.6
27.4
98.6
64.5
34.1
64.5
105.3
40.8
Percent Change
in Average Mass
+38.5
-34.6
+63.3
Based on this experiment, which of the following should
se inferred about cells with semipermeable membranes?
Water enters the cell when placed in
environments of high water concentration.
Water leaves the cell when placed in
• environments with a low concentration of
solutes.
Substances other than water may also cross
the cell membrane.
Answer
Water moves across semipermeable membranes from areas of high water concentration to areas of low water concentration, and substances other than water may also cross the cell membrane.