Osmosis WebQuest
Introduction
We know that the human body is comprised of 70-80% water. But, how does it move in and out of
our cells? Is it pushed … pulled …does it flow freely through holes? What happens when other
substances like salt or calcium are present? What would happen if osmosis stopped? Would we
die?
The Task
You’ve been hired to draw a cartoon for a major search engine website “Floogle”. They’ve told you
that in celebration of National Osmosis Week, they want a cartoon about osmosis. You could make
as much as 1 million “Floogle Dollars” for this project, depending on how scientifically correct and
witty your cartoon is. Follow this WebQuest to learn all you can about osmosis. Then draw your
cartoon, correctly applying the process of osmosis in a funny and entertaining manner, to collect your
earnings. Good luck.
The Process
Section I: Buckle Up. Here we go …
1.
Choose 3 documents from the following list. (Mark which ones you choose). You should start by
“browsing” all of them. Then choose the ones that make the most sense to you and use those to
complete this portion of the assignment.
http://www.purchon.com/biology/osmosis.htm
http://dl.clackamas.edu/ch105-03/osmosis.htm
http://alienryderflex.com/osmosis/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmosis
http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/esp/2001_saladin/folder_structure/le/m5/s3/index.htm
3. Take notes on the information. Include any definitions or main points that you might need to
reference back to later. Take your time. This first part may take you more than one day to
complete – THAT’S OKAY.
Website
Notes
Section II: Play that again …
4. Choose 3 flash/streaming videos from the following list. (Mark which ones you choose). You should
start by watching all of them. Then choose the ones that make the most sense to you and use those to
complete this portion of the assignment. You may use as many as you’d like, but the minimum is 3.
http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objID=AP11003
http://www.schooltube.com/video/59456034497b45089857/Osmosis,%20Diffusion%20and%20Cell%20Trans
port
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeS2-6zHn6M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQsAzXr0UCU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPKvHrD1eS4&list=PLE6EDE9CF5D37DA47
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_u0QRsZMbk
http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/0072495855/student_view0/chapter2/animation__how_osmosis_works.
html
http://www.stolaf.edu/people/giannini/flashanimat/transport/osmosis.swf
http://www.uic.edu/classes/bios/bios100/lectures/osmosis.htm
5. After watching these, complete the following questions in your own words.
 What is osmosis?

What is diffusion?

What is the difference between the two?
1. In terms of energy used?
2. In terms of solute and solvent?
3. In terms of whether or not a membrane is needed?


What is a concentration gradient? Give an example.
Is water always a solvent? Why or why not?
Section III: Show what you know …
6. Choose 3 interactive activities from the following list. (Mark which ones you choose). You should
start by trying all of them. Then choose the ones that make the most sense to you and use those to
complete this portion of the assignment. You may use as many as you’d like, but the minimum is
3. Take your time. This third part may take you more almost a full class period to complete –
THAT’S OKAY.
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/membrane-channel
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/novella/MixQuizProcessingServlet
http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/esp/2001_gbio/folder_structure/ce/m3/s3/cem3s3_3.htm
http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/cmb/cells/pmemb/osmosis_eg.html
http://science.nhmccd.edu/biol/membrane/osfram1.html
http://science.nhmccd.edu/biol/cellwall/plfram1.html
http://www.zerobio.com/target_practice_quiz/target_practice_quiz_cells.htm
Section IV: Bringing it all together …
8. Once you have completed all of the steps above, you may make a group of 3 people (no more, no
fewer). You may only choose people who are also done with steps 1-7.
9. As a group, draw one cartoon about osmosis. The cartoon will include either “witty dialogue” or a
“punchline” that shows understanding of osmosis. You should then include an explanation of how this
applies to osmosis and why it’s funny.
Evaluation
Student used 3 document sources
Student took appropriate notes on all 3 document
sources
Student used 3 flash/streaming video sources
Student answered 8 thought questions (correctly and
completely)
Student used 3 interactive activity sources
Student printed out last page for each activity source,
showing completion
GROUP completed cartoon related to osmosis
GROUP provided acceptable explanation relating
their cartoon to the process of osmosis
GROUP provided acceptable explanation of why their
cartoon is funny in the context of osmosis
Student worked diligently and consistently during
entire WebQuest.
TOTAL
Pay
3 points
15 points (5 points per document source)
3 points
16 points (3 points per question)
3 points
9 points (3 points per page)
3 points (all students in group receive same grade)
30 points (all students in group receive same grade)
10 points (all students in group receive same grade)
8 points
100 points possible
10,000 Floogle dollars per point
Conclusion
At the end of the webquest, students will have:





Completed critical reading regarding the topic of osmosis.
Taken detailed notes on their reading.
Viewed videos regarding osmosis.
Compared the processes of diffusion and osmosis (related processes) and highlighted the
similarities and differences.

Answered questions about the videos they viewed.

Worked in groups to summarize the information they learned and applied.

Used their knowledge to make a humorous comic about osmosis.

Completed a multi-day information exploration using internet resources.
 Followed instructions (both in writing and on a rubric) and compiled data in order to
come to appropriate scientific conclusions.

Completed and turned in evidence of their learning experience.
Ideas for additional questions to explore: Components of a phospholipids bi-layer, Polar and
Non-polar
molecules, Protein Pumps, and Facilitated Diffusion.
Credits & References
http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/cmb/cells/pmemb/osmosis.html
http://www.biologycorner.com/bio1/diffusion.html
http://www.purchon.com/biology/osmosis.htm
http://dl.clackamas.edu/ch105-03/osmosis.htm
http://alienryderflex.com/osmosis/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmosis
http://biology.arizona.edu/sciconn/lessons/mccandless/reading.html
http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/esp/2001_saladin/folder_structure/le/m5/s3/index.htm
http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objID=AP11003
http://edtech.clas.pdx.edu/osmosis_tutorial/membrane3.html
http://www.tvdsb.on.ca/westmin/science/sbi3a1/cells/osmosis.htm
http://curie.umd.umich.edu/Physlets/osmosis.html
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6279139460136726149
http://www.chaosscience.org.uk/pub/public_html//article.php?story=20050301222247333
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1512258517054657985&q=osmosis&ei=YIt7SKeILpLQ4gK5n
u2RCw&hl=en
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_u0QRsZMbk
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/novella/MixQuizProcessingServlet
http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/esp/2001_gbio/folder_structure/ce/m3/s3/cem3s3_3.htm
http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/cmb/cells/pmemb/osmosis_eg.html
http://science.nhmccd.edu/biol/membrane/osfram1.html
http://science.nhmccd.edu/biol/cellwall/plfram1.html
http://www.zerobio.com/target_practice_quiz/target_practice_quiz_cells.htm
Biology Keystone Workshop
Go to this webpage: https://www.msu.edu/~kommkris/webquest-index.html
Osmosis WebQuest
A WebQuest for 9th Grade (Biology)
Designed by
Kristen Knickerbocker
Knickerbocker_kk@elps.k12.mi.us
Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits
Introduction
We know that the human body is comprised of 7080% water. But, how does it move in and out of our
cells? Is it pushed … pulled …does it flow freely
through holes? What happens when other
substances like salt or calcium are present? What
would happen if osmosis stopped? Would we die?
The Task
You’ve been hired to draw a cartoon for a major search engine website “Floogle”. They’ve told you that
in celebration of National Osmosis Week, they want a cartoon about osmosis. You could make as much
as 1 million “Floogle Dollars” for this project, depending on how scientifically correct and witty your
cartoon is. Follow this WebQuest to learn all you can about osmosis. Then draw your cartoon, correctly
applying the process of osmosis in a funny and entertaining manner, to collect your earnings. Good
luck.
The Process
Section I: Buckle Up. Here we go …
1.
Sign on to your computer and open Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox.
2.
Choose 3 documents from the following list. (Mark which ones you choose). You should start by
“browsing” all of them. Then choose the ones that make the most sense to you and use those to complete
this portion of the assignment. You may use as many as you’d like, but the minimum is 3.
3.
Take notes on the information. Include any definitions or main points that you might need to
reference back to later. Take your time. This first part may take you more than one day to complete –
THAT’S OKAY.
Section II: Play that again …
4. Choose 3 flash/streaming videos from the following list. (Mark which ones you choose). You
should start by watching all of them. Then choose the ones that make the most sense to you and
use those to complete this portion of the assignment. You may use as many as you’d like, but the
minimum is 3. Take your time. This second part may take you more almost a full class period to
complete – THAT’S OKAY.
5. After watching these, complete the following questions in your own words.
o What is osmosis?
o What is diffusion?
o What is the difference between the two?
1.
2.
3.
In terms of energy used?
In terms of solute and solvent?
In terms of whether or not a membrane is needed?

What is a concentration gradient? Give an example.

Is water always a solvent? Why or why not?
Section III: Show what you know …
6.
Choose 3 interactive activities from the following list. (Mark which ones you choose). You should
start by trying all of them. Then choose the ones that make the most sense to you and use those to
complete this portion of the assignment. You may use as many as you’d like, but the minimum is 3.
Take your time. This third part may take you more almost a full class period to complete – THAT’S
OKAY.
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/novella/MixQuizProcessingServlet
http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/esp/2001_gbio/folder_structure/ce/m3/s3/cem3s3_3.htm
http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/cmb/cells/pmemb/osmosis_eg.html
http://science.nhmccd.edu/biol/membrane/osfram1.html
http://science.nhmccd.edu/biol/cellwall/plfram1.html
http://www.zerobio.com/target_practice_quiz/target_practice_quiz_cells.htm
7. When you finish each of the activities below, print the last page of the activity to show how you
did.
Section IV: Bringing it all together …
8. Once you have completed all of the steps above, you may make a group of 3 people (no more, no
fewer). You may only choose people who are also done with steps 1-7.
9. As a group, draw one cartoon about osmosis. The cartoon will include either “witty dialogue” or
a “punchline” that shows understanding of osmosis. You should then include an explanation of
how this applies to osmosis and why it’s funny.
Evaluation
Student used 3 document sources
3 points
Student took appropriate notes on all 3 document
15 points (5 points per document source)
sources
Student used 3 flash/streaming video sources
3 points
Student answered 8 thought questions (correctly and
16 points (3 points per question)
completely)
Student used 3 interactive activity sources
3 points
Student printed out last page for each activity source,
9 points (3 points per page)
showing completion
GROUP completed cartoon related to osmosis
3 points (all students in group receive same grade)
GROUP provided acceptable explanation relating their
30 points (all students in group receive same grade)
cartoon to the process of osmosis
GROUP provided acceptable explanation of why their
10 points (all students in group receive same grade)
cartoon is funny in the context of osmosis
Student worked diligently and consistently during entire 8 points
WebQuest.
TOTAL
Pay
100 points possible
10,000 Floogle dollars per point
Conclusion
At the end of the webquest, students will have:











Completed critical reading regarding the topic of osmosis.
Taken detailed notes on their reading.
Viewed videos regarding osmosis.
Compared the processes of diffusion and osmosis (related processes) and highlighted the
similarities and differences.
Answered questions about the videos they viewed.
Worked in groups to summarize the information they learned and applied.
Used their knowledge to make a humorous comic about osmosis.
Completed a multi-day information exploration using internet resources.
Followed instructions (both in writing and on a rubric) and compiled data in order to come to
appropriate scientific conclusions.
Completed and turned in evidence of their learning experience.
Ideas for additional questions to explore: Components of a phospholipids bi-layer, Polar and
Non-polar
molecules, Protein Pumps, and Facilitated Diffusion.
Credits & References
http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/cmb/cells/pmemb/osmosis.html
http://www.biologycorner.com/bio1/diffusion.html
http://www.purchon.com/biology/osmosis.htm
http://dl.clackamas.edu/ch105-03/osmosis.htm
http://alienryderflex.com/osmosis/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmosis
http://biology.arizona.edu/sciconn/lessons/mccandless/reading.html
http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/esp/2001_saladin/folder_structure/le/m5/s3/index.htm
http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objID=AP11003
http://edtech.clas.pdx.edu/osmosis_tutorial/membrane3.html
http://www.tvdsb.on.ca/westmin/science/sbi3a1/cells/osmosis.htm
http://curie.umd.umich.edu/Physlets/osmosis.html
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6279139460136726149
http://www.chaosscience.org.uk/pub/public_html//article.php?story=20050301222247333
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1512258517054657985&q=osmosis&ei=YIt7SKeILpLQ4g
K5nu2RCw&hl=en
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_u0QRsZMbk
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/novella/MixQuizProcessingServlet
http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/esp/2001_gbio/folder_structure/ce/m3/s3/cem3s3_3.htm
http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/cmb/cells/pmemb/osmosis_eg.html
http://science.nhmccd.edu/biol/membrane/osfram1.html
http://science.nhmccd.edu/biol/cellwall/plfram1.html
http://www.zerobio.com/target_practice_quiz/target_practice_quiz_cells.htm