Final Answer:
The experiment demonstrated the process of osmosis using a selectively permeable membrane and different concentrations of solutions. This relates to cell transport as it mirrors the movement of water and solutes across cell membranes.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the experiment, two containers were used, one with a higher concentration of solute and the other with a lower concentration, separated by a selectively permeable membrane. Over time, the water moved from the container with lower solute concentration to the one with higher concentration, demonstrating osmosis.
This process is analogous to how water moves across cell membranes in living organisms, where the selectively permeable membrane allows for the passage of water and certain solutes. The experiment’s results directly relate to cell transport as it illustrates the movement of water molecules across a semi-permeable membrane, which is a fundamental process in maintaining cellular homeostasis.
The movement of water molecules in this experiment can be quantified using the formula for osmotic pressure: π = iMRT, where π is the osmotic pressure, i is the van’t Hoff factor (the number of particles into which a compound dissociates in solution), M is the molarity of the solution, R is the ideal gas constant, and T is the temperature in Kelvin. By calculating the osmotic pressure difference between the two containers at different time intervals, we can further understand how osmosis relates to cell transport and the regulation of cellular environments.
The experimental setup also allows for comparisons between different types of solutions and their effects on osmotic movement. This provides insights into how cells respond to varying external environments and how they regulate their internal conditions through processes such as active transport and facilitated diffusion. Overall, this experiment serves as a practical demonstration of osmosis and its relevance to cell transport mechanisms.