Membrane permeability of beetroot

Implementation

My aim for this experiment was to find the effect of temperature on the membrane permeability of beetroot. Since I was unfamiliar with this experiment, I first conducted a preliminary test. I considered my preliminary test as my trial for this experiment. My Hypothesis for this experiment was to found out the amount of pigment loss of beetroot when exposed to varying temperatures.

Betalain pigment found in beetroot

My method for this experiment is:-

* Use a cork borer to cut about 3 cores of fresh beetroot approximately 8mm in length.

* Place them with the help of a forcep on a tile and trim so that it is about 1mm in length. While doing this make sure that no pigment is lost from the beetroot. To trim the beetroot cores in equal pieces I use a scalpel and a ruler.

* After doing this I get good amount of beetroot discs that are of 1mm in length.

Experiment

Louis Lumiere with microscope and test tubes, look...

Test tubes and other recipients in chemistry lab

* My beetroot discs are 1mm in length because the larger the surface area, the more effect would be there for the diffusion rate on the membrane permeability of beetroot.

* Place the beetroot discs in a beaker of cold, running water (at least 2 min). This is done so that the cellular debris and pigment on the cut surface are completely cleaned off.

* Leave them (for about 2minutes) until no more pigment can be seen coming from the cells.

* Next fill the beaker with distilled water and allow it to stand while you continue with preparation. It will be at room temperature by the time you get to the fifth test tube.

* A thermometer can be used to measure the different temperatures of 0°C, 20°C, 40°C, 60°C and 80°C.

* Next set up 5 boiling tubes in...