In this unit, the students will explore some of the properties and processes of the cell membrane including permeability, passive transport, equilibrium, diffusion, osmosis, cell tonicity and rates of diffusion. The students perform a number of laboratory activities intended to lead them, through exploration and analysis, to a thorough understanding of the importance of a cell membrane and the physical processes of diffusion and osmosis.

The unit includes both teacher and student materials. Teacher materials include background information, scheduling suggestions, preparation instructions, evaluation keys, and a resource list. Student materials include a background reading sheet, several exploratory activities with evaluation questions, a culminating experiment, and a quiz.

Teacher Materials

• Teaching Tips (Objectives, Background, Schedule, Preparation, Resources)
• Evaluation Keys (Activities and Quiz)

Student Materials

• Student Reading: Diffusion, Osmosis, and Cell Membranes
• Exploratory Activity: Osmosis in Elodea Cells
• Exploratory Activity: Dynamic Equilibrium
• Exploratory Activity: Factors Affecting Diffusion
• Exploratory Activity: Osmosis and Blood Cells
• Quiz: Osmosis, Diffusion, and Cell Membranes
  

Science Education Connection Department of Biochemistry The University of Arizona Wednesday, February 12, 1997 johnmcc@dakotacom.net http://biology.arizona.edu/sciconn/lessons/mccandless/ All contents copyright © 1997; 1998. All rights reserved.