Question

A student reads that if an eggshell is dissolved from an egg, the egg models a cell. The student wants to see how the egg cell model changes in a hypotonic versus a hypertonic solution.



Which list of steps should the student follow to determine the role of osmosis in maintaining homeostasis in a hypotonic versus hypertonic solution?



A.
1. Dissolve the shell off two eggs.

2. Place one egg in a beaker of hypotonic distilled water; place the other in a beaker of hypertonic saltwater.

3. After 24 hours, remove the eggs.

4. If the mass increases, water moved into the cell; if the mass decreases, water moved out of the cell.

B.
1. Dissolve the shell off two eggs and record the mass of each egg.

2. Place one egg in a beaker of hypotonic distilled water; place the other in a beaker of hypertonic saltwater.

3. After 24 hours, remove the eggs and record their final masses.

4. If the mass increases, water moved into the cell; if the mass decreases, water moved out of the cell.

C.
1. Dissolve the shell off two eggs and record the mass of each egg.

2. Place one egg in a beaker of hypotonic sucrose solution; place the other in a beaker of hypertonic distilled water.

3. After 24 hours, remove the eggs and record their final masses.

4. If the mass increases, water moved into the cell; if the mass decreases, water moved out of the cell.

D.
1. Dissolve the shell off two eggs.

2. Place one egg in a beaker of hypotonic sucrose solution; place the other in a beaker of hypertonic distilled water.

3. After 24 hours, remove the eggs.

4. If the mass increases, water moved out of the cell; if the mass decreases, water moved into the cell.

Answer 1

B

Reason: B includes recording initial and final masses (needed to detect water movement) and places one egg in hypotonic distilled water (water enters, mass increases) and the other in hypertonic saltwater (water exits, mass decreases), with the correct interpretation of mass change.