Chemistry of Membranes

Experiment #4 from Investigating Biology through Inquiry

In the Preliminary Activity, you will use a spectrophotometer to measure color changes due to the release of betacyanin caused by the damage to beet cell membranes by a 30% 2‑propanol solution. Isopropyl alcohol is another name for 2‑propanol.

After completing the Preliminary Activity, you will first use reference sources to find out more about biological membranes before you choose and investigate a researchable question. Some topics to consider in your reference search are:

• biological membranes
  
• vacuole
  
• tonoplast
  
• betacyanin
  
• lipids
  
• lipid solubility
  
• 2‑propanol
  
• alcohols
  

The Effect of Alcohol on Biological Membranes

Experiment #8 from Biology with Vernier

In this experiment, you will

• Use a Colorimeter to measure the color intensity of beet pigment in alcohol solutions.
• Test the effect of three different alcohols on membranes.
• Test the effect of different alcohol concentrations on membranes.