The Effect of Surface Area on Diffusion
School Name
Heathwood Hall
Grade Level
11th Grade
Presentation Topic
Cell and Molecular Biology
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of increased surface area on the rate of diffusion in cells. In order to time the rate of diffusion, gelatin was made containing the pH indicator, phenolphthalein. Once the gelatin had solidified, it was infused with NaOH which turned the gelatin a bright pink color. Then two sets of cubes were cut from this gelatin, one set with their surface area increased and one without increased surface area. The cubes varied in volume. The cubes were then placed in containers of HCl which slowly turned the cubes clear. Each cube was timed to determine how long it took for the HCl to fully diffuse throughout the gelatin. This procedure was repeated in three different trials. The results of the ANOVA test showed that the difference in the rates of diffusion between the cubes with increased surface area and those without increased surface area was not statistically significant. This could mean that the surface area was not increased enough for there to be a statistical difference but future study could find the best methods of increasing surface area.
Recommended Citation
Demetriades, Marie Charlotte and Shealy, Emma, "The Effect of Surface Area on Diffusion" (2017). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 39.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2017/all/39
Start Date
3-25-2017 11:59 PM
Presentation Format
Written Only
Group Project
Yes
The Effect of Surface Area on Diffusion
The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of increased surface area on the rate of diffusion in cells. In order to time the rate of diffusion, gelatin was made containing the pH indicator, phenolphthalein. Once the gelatin had solidified, it was infused with NaOH which turned the gelatin a bright pink color. Then two sets of cubes were cut from this gelatin, one set with their surface area increased and one without increased surface area. The cubes varied in volume. The cubes were then placed in containers of HCl which slowly turned the cubes clear. Each cube was timed to determine how long it took for the HCl to fully diffuse throughout the gelatin. This procedure was repeated in three different trials. The results of the ANOVA test showed that the difference in the rates of diffusion between the cubes with increased surface area and those without increased surface area was not statistically significant. This could mean that the surface area was not increased enough for there to be a statistical difference but future study could find the best methods of increasing surface area.
