Investigating Osmosis Relating to Kidney Function

Investigating Osmosis Relating to Kidney Function Medora Choi Abstract: The purpose of this laboratory is to investigate how to construct a nephron model by using a given permeable membrane to filter a simulated kidney blood solution. The laboratory will also investigate the process of osmosis as it relates to kidney filtration. This experiment is to accomplish the understanding of process of osmosis, and understand the waste substances eliminated by the

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kidneys for an amber-colored liquid which is called urine. This process is filtered through the kidney functional unit called the nephron. In order to hold this experiment, the class was provided with simulated kidney blood and dialysis tubing to start the investigation. Firstly, the knotted wet dialysis tubing is filled with the simulated kidney blood solution. This will be the nephron model for the investigation and to further observe the process of osmosis, the nephron model is then placed in a plastic cup which tap water is filled within 1 inch form the top. This product is observed over the next day as we will see the changes inside the dialysis tubing and inside the cup. Right after the product was made, a test of salt was held by using salt test strip and dipping it into the water in the cup, this is the initial presence of salt, which is none. Looking at the results, it is shown that inside the dialysis tubing has salt present at the start. However, as predicted, the results changed after 30 minutes as the process of osmosis began, and when the salt test was held again, the results shows that there was salt inside the cup and assumingly, there will still be salt inside the dialysis tubing but less due to osmosis. After 24 hours, the results clearly shows that the color inside the cup has changed to a yellow orange color which is urine and the salt test proved the accurate prediction as there is more salt inside the cup but much less inside the dialysis tubing. Observing at the test for the presence of simulated red blood cells, according to the results, it shows that the urine does not contain any blood because it only diffuses salt, and hence, the blood remains inside the membrane. In conclusion, this investigation shows that osmosis only diffuses salt ions to the waste substance and therefore the blood will stay in the membrane. Table 1. Observations of Simulated Kidney Blood Solution Test FactorsInside Dialysis TubingInside CupStarting ColorsRedTransparentSalt present (Y/N) at startYesNoSalt present after 30 min.Yes but lessYesPrediction after 24 hoursVery littleYesColor after 24 hoursRedYellow OrangeSalt present after 24 hoursYes but a lot lessYes

Peer Reviews

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skatealexia

29th of Aug 2012

Quality of writing

The layout of the essay is not ideal. The candidate describes everything in one big paragraph when they should split everything up into sub sections with clear subheadings to make it easier to read. Punctuation, grammar and spelling all to a good level.

Level of analysis

The observations in this experiment are done well and the candidate attempts to link the science behind the kidney to what they are observing, although I think a more thorough analysis of kidney function is needed. The candidate explains the method well, but would be better explaining how they made sure that other factors did not confound their results as this shows greater understanding of what might affect the experiment and makes the experiment more reliable. Their conclusion is adequate to what they observed, but they should have included an evaluation which would have described what factors went wrong in the experiment and how to improve it.

Response to question

The response to the investigation is done moderately well. The candidate links back and explains the experiment, but the experiment is not laid out very well which loses the candidate quite a lot of marks.

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