Background Research

Over Easy: A study of Diffusion

• Diffusion

• Osmosis

• Giant Cell

How it works- Diffusion of water into and out of cells is often demonstrated by treating cells with various concentrations of solutions (water,vinegar,corn syrup) and then examining them. I will use a giant cell (a chicken egg) to view dramatic changes caused by osmotic pressure - the pressure which needs to be applied to a solution to prevent the inward flow of water across a semipermeable membrane - (egg shell).

• Long and Short Circumference - The distance around the outside of a closed curve or circular object.

• Molecules - Smallest identifiable unit into which a pure substance can be divided and retain its composition and chemical properties.

• Cell - The basic unit of which all living things are composed; the smallest structural unit of living matter that is able to function independently.

• Cell Membrane - A semipermeable outside layer surrounding the contents of a cell.

  • Semipermeable Membrane - A membrane that will allow certain molecules or ions to pass through it by diffusion.

• Concentration - Content of a component (as dissolved or dispersed material) of a solution, mixture, or dispersion that may be expressed in percentage by weight or by volume.

• Diffusion - The spreading of something more widely.

• Osmosis - Diffusion of fluid through a semipermeable membrane from a solution.

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