Name:_______Kareem abdulhalim Salah ______________Grade ____\22_

Diffusion In Agar Cubes

Is Bigger Better? OR Is Smaller Smarter?
((Adapted from Flinn Scientific Publication No. 10110))

Introduction:
Diffusion is one of the very important processes by which substances such as nutrients, water, oxygen, and cellular wasted are transported between
living cells and their environment. This activity will help you explore the relationship between diffusion and cell size by experimenting with model
“cells.”

In this experiment, you will use agar cubes to which the indicator phenolphthalein has been added. Phenolphthalein is an acid/base indicator that turns
pink in the presence of a base such as NaOH. Thus the surface of the agar cubes will turn white immediately when put into a HCL solution. The HCL
will continue to diffuse through the cube and gradually turn the inside of the cube white. The guiding question for this lab is thus:

What determines the efficiency of diffusion throughout the model “cells”?

Use this question to help formulate a hypothesis:
Your hypothesis: (2)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________If we Put Agar cubes into vinegar, then the vinegar will start to diffuse into the agar cubes
starting with the smaller one because the smaller one will have more surface area to volume ratio.

Safety measures
1-Avoid skin and eye contact with all chemicals.
2-Minimize all chemical exposures.
3-Avoid distracting or startling persons working in the laboratory.
 4-Use equipment only for its designated purpose.
5-Never leave containers of chemicals open.
6-All containers must have appropriate labels. Unlabeled chemicals should never be used.
7-Do not taste or intentionally sniff chemicals.
8-Do not use mouth suction for pipetting or starting a siphon.
9-Wash exposed areas of the skin prior to leaving the laboratory.
10-Long hair and loose clothing must be pulled back and secured from entanglement or potential capture.
11-No contact lenses should be worn around hazardous chemicals – even when wearing safety glasses.
12-Laboratory safety glasses or goggles should be worn in any area where chemicals are used or stored. They should also be worn any time there is a
chance of splashes or particulates to enter the eye. Closed toe shoes will be worn at all times in the laboratory. Perforated shoes or sandals are not
appropriate.
13-Determine the potential hazards and appropriate safety precautions before beginning any work.
14-Procedures should be developed that minimize the formation and dispersion of aerosols.
15-If an unknown chemical is produced in the laboratory, the material should be considered hazardous.
16-Do not pour chemicals down drains. Do NOT utilize the sewer for chemical waste disposal.
All equipment should be regularly inspected for wear or deterioration.
17-No cell phone or earphone usage in the active portion of the laboratories, or during experimental operations.
18-Avoid wearing jewelry in the lab as this can pose multiple safety hazards.

Materials:

Agar cubes
A ruler
0.1M HCL per group 200mL
Knife
Large beaker
Spoon/Tongs

Procedure:
1. Each group will cut three agar cubes: A 3cm cube, a 2cm cube, and a 1cm cube. CUT AS ACCURATELY AS POSSIBLE. (This may be
already completed for you.)
 2. Pour 200mL of 0.1M HCL solution into your 400mL beaker.
3. Immerse your 3 cubes in the sodium hydroxide solution, noting the time (the 3 cubes should be
immersed at the same time).
4. Let the cubes soak for approximately 10 minutes.
5. Periodically, gently stir the solution, or turn the cubes over.
6. After 10 minutes, use a spoon or tongs to remove the cubes from the HCL (avoid touching the acid with your fingers).
7. Blot the cubes with a paper towel.
8. Promptly cut each cube in half and measure the depth to which the pink color has removed. Sketch each block’s cross-section. (Use colored
pencils if available)
9. Record your measurements and sketch each cube in the table found on the next page.
10. Do the following calculations for each cube and complete the following data table:
Calculating % diffusion in each cube:
 Calculate total volume of each cube (volume = L x W x H)
 Calculate volume that turned white. (That is, calculate total volume of the small portion of the cube that is pink – use the same formula
L x W x H)
 Calculate volume diffused = total volume – volume pink.
 Calculate % diffusion = Volume diffused /total volume x 100
Calculate the surface area of each cube and the surface area to volume ratio:
 Calculate the surface area of a cube = L x W x # of sides
 Calculate surface area/volume ratio.

Conclusion Questions: On a separate piece of paper answer the following questions. Be sure to submit data table with your conclusion questions
1. In terms of maximizing diffusion, what was the most effective size cube that you tested? (1)
___The smallest cube 1cm * 1cm __
 2. Why was that size most effective at maximizing diffusion? What are the important factors that
affect how materials diffuse into cells or tissues? (4)
______ because it had the largest surface area to volume ratio of 6:1 which maximized
diffusion ,When we have a smaller object “agar cube” it diffuses faster and needs fewer raw materials, which makes the process faster and
diffused into all parts of the smallest agar cube______
3. If a large surface area is helpful to cells, why do cells not grow to be very large? (2)
_____Because if it grows larger that means it will need to consume more raw materials and take more time to diffuse into all parts of the cell,
also it will need more energy to support all the tissue ______
4. You have three cubes, A, B, and C. They have surface-to-volume ratios of 3:1, 5:2, and 4:1 respectively. Which of these cubes is going to be
the most effective at maximizing diffusion, how do you know this? (3)
______4:1 because it has the least surface area to volume ratio, which supports all the needs of the cell more faster and less need for raw
materials for consuming energy, and more diffusion easier for the cube____

5. How does your body adapt surface area-to-volume ratios to help exchange gases? (3)
________ As the cell grows, its surface area to volume ratio decreases, reducing the rate of gas exchange. This is because as the surface-
to-volume ratio decreases, there is not enough surface area (cell membrane) for adequate gas exchange to occur to serve the needs of the
internal contents (volume) of the cell. If the surface area to volume ratio of a cell gets too small, the cell must either undergo mitotic cell
division or it will no longer be able to function. ___________
6. Why can’t certain cells, like bacteria, get to be the size of a small fish? (2)
____Because If it gets into the size of a small fish, it will be too big for a unicellular cell, which makes the bacteria diffuse harder in water to
stabilize the internal environment “homeostasis” second, it will take too much energy consuming for the cell to get nutrition, because raw
materials will harder to grind as they are too small and they have to consume a lot of them in a long period of time which will affect
metabolization _______
 What are the advantages of large organisms being multicellular? (2)
____1- from the perspective of surface area to volume ratio: all cells get nutrition very easily because
of their big surface area to volume ratio, A bigger surface area to volume ratio means keeping the
internal stability and all functions of life very easily and effective because of the small size of the cell
which allows diffusion to all cells and needs for less raw materials. From the perspective of multicellularity: Avoids duplication of work: Only
certain cells perform a specific function. Thus, all cells do not have to perform the same function and there is no waste of energy on duplication
of work.
2. Increases chances of survival: Death of a few cells does not affect a multicellular organism. The function is taken by new cells of the same
lineage.

3. Makes specialized units highly effective: Different cells perform different functions. Cells performing similar functions are grouped into tissue
which carry out specific functions.
4. Long life: Greater efficiency of the cells, because of division of labor, makes multicellular organisms to live longer. _______
DATA TABLE: Diffusion In Agar Cubes Name:___________
Cube Size Surface Cube volume Sketch of Diffusion Surface area Percentage of Rate of diffusion (3)
Area each Depth to volume diffusion mm\min
(Lx W x LxWxH Cube mm ratio Volume diffused\
#of sides) SA\V total volume
Cm3 X100
Cm2
1cm (1cm) 6/1=6 100% 0.00028cm^2/min
1x6 1cm^3
=6cm^2

2cm 8cm^3 (0.6cm) 24/8=3 0.6/8=7.5% 0.00010cm^2/min

2×2×6
=24cm^2

3cm 27cm^3 (0.8cm) 54/27=2 0.8/27=2.9% 0.00018cm^2_mins

3×3×6
54cm^2