Osmosis

OsmoBeaker: Osmosis

This popular lab places students in the role of a doctor providing intravenous fluids to a patient. They must compose an intravenous fluid that does not cause the patient's red blood cells to expand or shrink. Using simulated cells, students explore osmosis with no, one, two, and many solutes. In the process of exploring the underlying molecular mechanisms of osmosis and osmotic pressure, students manipulate concentrations and conduct experiments to investigate what is meant by "dynamic equilibrium" and throughout the lab use quantitative reasoning to predict experimental outcomes. See our Publications page to read how this lab successfully conquers misconceptions! One caveat: students who have trouble with ratios may need assistance.

Key Concepts: Equilibrium; Osmosis; Overcoming common misconceptions
Courses: Intro Bio: Molecular; Intro Bio: Non-majors; Osmosis-Diffusion

Reviews:

"The students loved the [OsmoBeaker] simulations and I thought they got more out of them than even they did."
Heather Dietz, University of Regina

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