Beetroot Experiment.

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Beetroot Experiment

Introduction:
The function of a cell membrane is to control the transport of substances moving into and out of a cell. The membrane is partially permeable due to its thin layer. It consists mostly of lipids and proteins. The lipids found in cell membranes are triglycerides; they have one molecule of glycerol chemically linked to three molecules of fatty acids, the majority being phospholipids.

Despite their many differences in appearance and function, all cells have a surrounding membrane (called the plasma membrane), which contains the cytoplasm. All cells have a variety of chemical reactions that enable them to grow, produce energy, and remove waste, which is known as metabolism.

All cells contain hereditary information, encoded in molecules of (DNA), that directs the cell's activities and enables it to reproduce, passing on its characteristics to its offspring. These and other similarities show that there is a constant link between current cells and the first cells that appeared on earth.

In the cells of a beetroot plant, a substance called anthocyanin is contained within the plasma membrane. Anthocyanin, gives the beetroot its characteristic colour. If a cell is damaged in a beetroot plant and the membrane is broken, the anthocyanin 'bleeds' from the cells. It is this characteristic that can be subjected to test which conditions influence the cell membrane.

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We are experimenting with the effects of temperature on the membrane, so we will place the samples of beetroot into a water baths of varying temperatures and measure the colour change in the water.

Aim:

Is to determine what effect an increase in the surrounding temperature around the beetroot's cell structure has on the plasma membrane.

Hypothesis:
An increase in temperature will damage and denature the plasma membrane causing the cytoplasm and other substances contained within the membrane to leak out.

Equipment and materials:

  • Beetroot Plant Corers (various diameters)
  • White tile
  • Heatproof mat
  • Bunsen ...

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