What is the effect of temperature on the permeability of beetroot cell membranes?

Essay by horsey11C+, June 2004

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Plan:-

Independent Variable- Temperature is what I will be changing in the experiment. I want to find out what effect temperature has on the permeability of a cell membrane.

Controlling other Variables- I will use measures to ensure that everything stays the same in my test to gain the best and most reliable results possible

- Same volume of water that I put the beetroot into after heating.

- The beetroot I use will be the same size each time, I will ensure this using a cork borer.

- The beetroot will be heated for the same time for each one, also it will be left in the water for the same time after.

Equipment:-

Beaker

Thermometer

Heat proof mat

Tripod

Bunsen Burner

Cork Borer

10 Beetroot cylinders

Forceps

10 test tubes

Colorimeter

Measuring cylinder

Also to improve the reliability of the test I will repeat the results.

Method

- Heat 200ml of water in a beaker

- Whilst water is heating, place 10cm3 of water into each of ten test tubes.

Label 85-45 and place in a water bath at 20 degree Celsius

- Cut beetroot with a cork borer to length of 5cm. Use a borer with a diameter of 1cm

- Place the beetroot cylinder into a beaker of water at 85 degrees, after one minute use forceps to transfer to test tube of water in water bath at 20 degrees celsius

- As water in beaker cools repeat step 3 using fresh cylinder of beetroot.

- Complete this cycle for 10 cylinders

- Leave each cylinder in its test tube for 30 minutes

- After 30 minutes remove beetroot and shake solution well to get the best quality colour

- Take the solutions and transfer to small beakers and place into the colorimeters, change the setting...