Rationale The cell membrane, also called the plasma membrane is found in all cells and separates the extracellular side of the cell from the cytosolic side (Cell membrane (plasma membrane), 2023). The purpose of the cell membrane is to communicate with the cell’s external environment, to contain the cell’s contents and to control the transport of molecules in and out of the cell. Diffusion is the passive movement of molecules from an area of high to low concentration. The cell membrane is semi-permeable, meaning some substances can pass through but others cannot. Osmosis is the diffusion of solvent molecules (e.g. water) across the membrane from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration (Lopez & Hall, 2022). When the fluid on the extracellular side of the cell has a higher concentration than the cytosolic side it is hypertonic. When it is lower than the cytosolic side it is hypotonic. When both sides of the membrane have equal concentrations, they are isotonic. The isotonic point is the point in which osmosis causes the concentrations of either side of the cell wall to reach an equilibrium (balance). The original experiment involved placing gummy bears in water and sugar and salt solutions (Gummy bear osmosis, 2022). The experiment was modified to further investigate the effect of varying NaCl concentrations on the mass of potatoes. …show more content…
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