Beetroot Plasma Investigation. The main objective of this investigation is to focus on the effect of ethanol (C2H5OH) on the plasma membrane of a beetroot.

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Beetroot plasma membrane investigation                                14/2/2011

The main objective of this investigation is to focus on the effect of ethanol (C2H5OH) on the plasma membrane of a beetroot. The colour of Beetroots is due to the presence of a red pigment in the cell sap. The purpose of this experiment is to use different concentrations of ethanol in order to find out what is its effect on the plasma membrane of the beetroot.

Aim – To examine the effect of ethanol on the plasma membrane of beetroots by light transmission percentage.

Hypothesis – Ethanol is an excellent solvent for substances as it is quite polar. Membranes are made of phospholipid bilayers. Ethanol dissolves these phospholipids in the membranes of the beetroot cells. This creates gaps in the phospholipid-bilayer of a beetroot cell. The plasma membrane becomes damaged and more 'fluid' can move more easily. The red pigment, responsible for the beetroot’s colour, then leaks out. I believe a higher concentration of ethanol will cause more membranes of beetroot cells to be damaged, therefore there will be more leakage of the pigment and the percentage of light transmitted should decrease.

Diagram + Equipment + Method –

Refer to sheet

 

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Results –

               Table 1. Percentage of light transmissions in each solution of ethanol of all groups (raw data)

Table 2. Mean percentage of light transmission of each trial and both trials combined

                                             

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