Diffusion and Osmosis—Advanced Inquiry Laboratory Kit

Product Details

Big Idea 2, Investigation 4, Science Practices 2, 4, 5 How do cell membranes help regulate internal cellular makeup? In this Flinn Advanced Inquiry Lab, students participate in two Baseline Activities that branch out with Opportunities for Inquiry during which students will develop a testable hypothesis and then design an experiment that they can plan, discuss, evaluate, execute, and finally justify to their peers. In the first Baseline Activity, students study the diffusion of ions into a model cell. Questions such as “How does the rate of diffusion influence the ability of a cell to obtain needed nutrients?” and “How might the surface area-to-volume ratio affect the rate of diffusion into a cell?” help guide the students to design their own experiments. In the second Baseline Activity, students test the ability of various substances to diffuse across a semipermeable dialysis membrane and analyze results to identify solutions as hypotonic, hypertonic or isotonic. Students use these observations and guiding questions such as, “Is the rate of diffusion directly proportional to the solute concentration?” and “How would diffusion of a starch solution be different than that of a protein?” to develop their inquiry experiments. Includes detailed teacher notes, reproducible student handouts, and enough materials for eight groups of students to complete the Baseline Activities and to prepare for the inquiry activities. A 0.01-g precision balance is required and available separately. A refill kit for the Diffusion and Osmosis Advanced Inquiry Laboratory Kit is also available. See the refill kit at FB2086.