How Does Osmosis Affect The Mass Of Egg

The Effect of Osmosis on The Mass of Eggs
Victoria Vu
Biology
October 22, 2013

Introduction & Hypothesis
The membrane of an egg is composed of keratin (a type of protein), which is semipermeable. This means only certain materials will be allowed to enter and exit through the egg’s membrane. The purpose of this experiment is study the process in which water molecules pass the egg membrane, osmosis. This experiment also gives insight on how other
‘semipermeable membranes’ work, like a model for other membranes similar. If 3 eggs are immersed in 3 different solutions- salt, sugar, & tap water- then the membrane of the egg will conduct osmosis of water into the eggs.

Materials
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3 plastic cups
If 3 eggs are soaked in sugar solution, salt solution, and water solution, then the eggs will experience osmosis into the membrane. This hypothesis is proven true by the experiment conducted.
The data shows only increase in mass of the egg (water had left the cup and entered the egg through osmosis). The salt solution showed less increase in mass than the approximately 18% of mass the sugar solution and tap water gained. Nevertheless, the egg immersed in the salt solution also showed increase in mass. The difference in group results and class results indicate some possible error in conducting the experiment and recording the results.

Works Cited
1. "Science of Eggs: Anatomy of an Egg | Exploratorium."
Exploratorium: The Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception.
N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2013.
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2. "The Anatomy of a Chicken Egg : Imagination Station." Imagination
Station RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2013.