Name
__________________________________ Date___
Egg-speriment
PURPOSE: In this lab, you will use eggs with a dissolved shell as a model for a living cell. You will then
predict the results of an experiment that involves the movement of water through a membrane.
BACKGROUND: Some chemicals can pass through the cell membrane, but others cannot. Not all
chemicals can pass through a cell membrane with equal ease. The cell membrane determines which cells
can diffuse into or out of a cell. As chemicals pass into and out of a cell, they move from areas of high
concentration to areas of low concentration. Cells in hypertonic solutions have solute concentrations lower
than the solution that bathes them. This concentration difference causes water to move out of the cell into
the solution. Cells in hypotonic solutions have solute concentrations greater than the solution that bathes
them. This concentration difference causes water to move from the solution into the cell. The movement of
water into and out of a cell through the cell membrane is called osmosis.
MATERIALS: • One egg • 250 ml beaker • 100 ml graduated cylinder • vinegar • corn syrup • water
Liquid
Vinegar
Corn
Syrup
Distilled
Water
Day
(above or
below the
line)
Day 1
Describe what you observed
The egg shell disappeared because the vinegar dissolved
the egg shell.
Day 2
Above or
below
Day 3
Above or
below
Data Analysis:
1. Based on your observations, what effect did the vinegar have on the egg?
2. Was the vinegar (Day 1) a hypotonic, hypertonic or isotonic solution?
______________ Explain how your data and observations support this
conclusion.
3. Was the syrup (Day 2) a hypotonic, hypertonic or isotonic solution?
________________ Explain how your data and observations support this
conclusion.
4. Was the water (Day 3) a hypotonic, hypertonic, or isotonic solution?
________________ Explain how your data and observations support this
conclusion.
1. What liquids caused the egg to swell or get larger?
2. What liquids caused the egg to shrink?
3. What process caused the egg to swell or shrink? Be SPECIFIC; discuss each liquid
4. Which column(s) will you use to create your graph?