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I. TEACHER NOTES & GUIDELINES

TITLE OF LAB: Effects of Temperature and Solvents on the Cell Membrane

DEVELOPERS OF LAB: Adapted by James Kirby JD726, Jennifer Mortellaro JD449, and James Prockup JD575 from a publication by the Department of Biological Sciences at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI

OVERVIEW OF LAB:

DESCRIPTION:
The purpose of this lab is to illustrate the effects that temperature and solvents have on the cell membrane.
Red beet tissue contains large amounts of betacyanin, a red pigment, located in the large internal membrane vacuoles. When the membrane is damaged, this pigment can cross the vacuole membrane and cell (plasma Membrane). In this experiment we will take pieces of beet root and test what types of environmental stress disrupts the membrane. This should give students an insight into the composition of the membrane.

CURRICULUM CONSIDERATIONS:
This lab is intended to be used in a Regents Biology Curriculum. This lab can be used when studying the topic of cell membrane structure and function. This lab is expected to be completed in two, 40-minute periods.

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS:
Solvents/household liquids, which the students want to use in Part IV, must be approved by teacher before use.

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