6.3.1: Learning Objectives
After this lab you should be able to:
- Define osmosis, hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic.
- Analyze scenarios with regard to net water movement in and out of a cell and discuss the effect of osmotic pressure on microorganisms.
- Classify organisms based on their salinity preferences.
Gather the family/friends/roommates around and try this at home:
Place a piece of lettuce in a bowl of super salty water. Let is sit for a half hour or so. Prediction? Observations? Next, place the same piece of lettuce in a bowl of plain tap water. Let it sit again—this may take a bit longer. Prediction? Observations?
Try to explain what happened, or (should you be out of lettuce) what you think would happen.