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OE 2
Diffusion and Osmosis
Go to the Diffusion and Osmosis simulation on Biology Simulations.
1. Key terms:
Solution
Solvent Water
Solute Large, Medium, Small Molecules
Diffuse Molecules are moving from high to low water concentration
Dynamic Equilibrium Even if the molecules are evenly distributed they are still
moving randomly
Semipermeable Membrane It allows some of the molecules through
2. Simulation Background:
a. In the simulated solution, what is representing the solvent?
Water
b. In the simulated solution, what is representing the solutes?
Molecules
3. Run the simulation with all three molecules present. Based on observation, determine if
the membrane separating sides A and B is permeable to each molecule and record
(yes/no) in the table below.
Permeable?
Large No
Medium Yes
Small Yes
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4. Set the large molecule on both sides to 2%, and the other molecules to 0%.
a. If 2% of the side A starting solution is large molecule, what percent is water?
98%
b. Run the simulation and observe for 60 seconds (then click Pause).
c. How much did the solution concentration fluctuate? Record the greatest change in %
over the 60 seconds (hover the mouse over the graph to see the values).
Large A = 2.00% - 1.95% = 0.05%
Large B = 2.05% - 2.00% = 0.05%
The greatest change in concentration was 0.05%
d. What molecule is moving between sides A and B during the simulation?
Water
5. Reset the simulation and set the large molecule concentration on side A to 5% and side B
to 0. Set all other molecules to 0.
a. If 5% of the side A starting solution is large molecule, what percent is water?
Side A = 2%, 100% - 2% = 98% water
Side B = 0%, 100% - 0% = 100% water
b. Run the simulation for 60 seconds.
c. What was the ending concentration of the large molecule on side A?
The ending concentration of the large molecule on side A is 4.01%
d. What is the ending concentration of water?
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Water Concentration = 100% - 4.01% = 95.99%
e. Based on the results, what happened to water molecules during the simulation?
The molecules is dissolving in the water
f. How do these results compare to the results from #4?
In #4 the result is fluctuating but in the #5 the result is decreasing
6. Reset the simulation and set the medium molecule concentration on side A to 5% and
side B to 0. Set all other molecules to 0.
a. If 5% of the side A starting solution is medium molecule, what percent is water?
95%
b. Run the simulation for 60 seconds.
c. What was the ending concentration of the medium molecule on side A?
3.56%
d. What was the ending concentration of the medium molecule on side B?
1.29%
e. How do these results compare to the results from #5?
Since it is the medium molecule some molecule move to the other side compare to the large
molecule
7. Reset the simulation and set the small molecule concentration on side A to 5% and side B
to 0. Set all other molecules to 0.
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a. If 5% of the side A starting solution is small molecule, what percent is water?
95%
b. Run the simulation for 60 seconds.
c. What was the ending concentration of the small molecule on side A?
3.14%
d. What was the ending concentration of the small molecule on side B?
1.83%
e. How do these results compare to the results from #5 and #6?
Since it is the small molecule some of it easily move to the other side of the beaker compared
to the other two molecules.
8. Write an explanation of osmosis using data from the simulation.
Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from high to low
water concentration. In the simulation, when large molecules couldn’t cross the membrane,
water moved from side B to side A, lowering side A’s water concentration from 98% to
95.99%. This shows water moving to balance solute concentration, demonstrating osmosis
