Gummy Bear Lab

OBSERVATION: Water enters the gummy bear

The movement of water from the cup into the Gummy Bear is called Osmosis.

The definition contains three important statements: Osmosis is the passage of water from a region of high water concentration through a semi-permeable membrane to a region of low water concentration.

Osmosis is the passage of water from a region of high water concentration through a semi-permeable membrane to a region of low water concentration.

Osmosis is the passage of water from a region of high water concentration through a semi-permeable membrane to a region of low water concentration.

Cell membranes will allow small molecules like Oxygen, water, Carbon Dioxide, Ammonia, Glucose, amino- acids, etc. to pass through. Cell membranes will not allow larger molecules like Sucrose, Starch, protein, etc. to pass through.

Why doesn’t the bear dissolve? Substances in the gummy bear that give it solidity are: glucose, starch and gelatin. All of these substances can absorb (form some interaction with) water. However, while water can be absorbed, the starch and gelatin are prevented from dissolving in water. So the water swells the gummy bear rather than dissolves it.

Like a dry sponge such as used for washing dishes Like a dry sponge such as used for washing dishes. In this form it is a small, hard material. However, it is porous and water can go into those pores. When water enters the pores, the sponge gets enlarged, and becomes flexible.

Osmosis is the passage of water from a region of high water concentration through a semi- permeable membrane to a region of low water concentration.