Investigating The Limits Of Cell Growth
Investigating the Limits of Cell Growth
Background: To find factors that limit cell growth In multicellular organisms, In order for an organism to grow cells must divide through mitosis. Cell division happens after the cell is big enough so the daughter cells will be replicated without any flaws. The regulation and amount of materials that can enter and leave the cell is based on how large the cells surface area is. The rate of movement is also determined by the volume of the cell. Many factors like the decline of food and temperature fluctuations can cause the cell to stop dividing.
Materials:
Plastic Spoon
2 Blocks of agar phenolphthalein
Beaker
Dissecting tray
Paper towel
Sodium hydroxide solution (wear eye shields)
Plastic ruler
Procedure:
1. Use the sharp end of the ruler to cut the agar blocks into a 3cm, 2cm, and 1cm cube (use paper towel and dissecting tray to work with blocks).
2. Place all three cubes in the empty beaker.
3. Have teacher pour sodium hydroxide solution into beaker.
4. Wait for 5 minutes without interrupting the blocks.
5. Use formulas to calculate surface area, volume, and ratio of surface are to volume while waiting.
6. Once 5 minutes has elapsed take the blocks out using a plastic spoon and place on a paper towel in a dissecting tray.
7. Cut each block in half and observe, collect data on chart.
Data, Results, and Observations:
Data Table 1
Cube Size
Surface Area (cm2)
Volume (cm3)
Surface Area-to-volume ratio
3 cm
54
27
2:1
2 cm
24
8
3:1
1 cm
6
1
6:1
Data Table 2
Cube Size
Distance Pink Color Has Diffused into Block (mm)
Distance from End of Pink Color to Blocks’s Center (mm)
3 cm
4
10
2 cm
3.5
20
1 cm
10
0
Calculations:
Surface area = number of surfaces x length x width
Volume = length x width x height
Surface area- to- volume ratio = Surface area/Volume
Post Lab Questions:
1. The 3cm block has the most surface area, it is 54 cm2
2. The 1 cm cube has the greatest ratio of 6:1
3. The pink color diffused most through block one, in
Background: To find factors that limit cell growth In multicellular organisms, In order for an organism to grow cells must divide through mitosis. Cell division happens after the cell is big enough so the daughter cells will be replicated without any flaws. The regulation and amount of materials that can enter and leave the cell is based on how large the cells surface area is. The rate of movement is also determined by the volume of the cell. Many factors like the decline of food and temperature fluctuations can cause the cell to stop dividing.
Materials:
Plastic Spoon
2 Blocks of agar phenolphthalein
Beaker
Dissecting tray
Paper towel
Sodium hydroxide solution (wear eye shields)
Plastic ruler
Procedure:
1. Use the sharp end of the ruler to cut the agar blocks into a 3cm, 2cm, and 1cm cube (use paper towel and dissecting tray to work with blocks).
2. Place all three cubes in the empty beaker.
3. Have teacher pour sodium hydroxide solution into beaker.
4. Wait for 5 minutes without interrupting the blocks.
5. Use formulas to calculate surface area, volume, and ratio of surface are to volume while waiting.
6. Once 5 minutes has elapsed take the blocks out using a plastic spoon and place on a paper towel in a dissecting tray.
7. Cut each block in half and observe, collect data on chart.
Data, Results, and Observations:
Data Table 1
Cube Size
Surface Area (cm2)
Volume (cm3)
Surface Area-to-volume ratio
3 cm
54
27
2:1
2 cm
24
8
3:1
1 cm
6
1
6:1
Data Table 2
Cube Size
Distance Pink Color Has Diffused into Block (mm)
Distance from End of Pink Color to Blocks’s Center (mm)
3 cm
4
10
2 cm
3.5
20
1 cm
10
0
Calculations:
Surface area = number of surfaces x length x width
Volume = length x width x height
Surface area- to- volume ratio = Surface area/Volume
Post Lab Questions:
1. The 3cm block has the most surface area, it is 54 cm2
2. The 1 cm cube has the greatest ratio of 6:1
3. The pink color diffused most through block one, in