Day 2

How is osmosis different from diffusion?  What are some other ways to communicate a scientific concept such as diffusion?   How and why is computer modeling with Stella and Excel used in science?   How can Excel be used to visualize the effect of varying concentrations of solutions on osmosis?

Objectives:

Students explain how cells maintain homeostasis through membrane permeability.

Explain how computers are used to model scientific concepts.

Identify computer programs that are used to model scientific concepts, specifically Stella and Excel.

Texas and National Standards

1A,B,  2A,B,C,D, 4B

Materials: (per group of 4)

Internet access

CyberEd  CD:   The Plasma Membrane and Cellular Transport (may be used to assist  discussion)

PowerPoint presentation – “Computer Modeling in Biology”

Activities:            

1. Introduction with a brief post-lab discussion of the diffusion lab.  Reference website http://mc2.cchem.berkeley.edu/Java/molecules/
2. Further discussion of transport across the cell membrane to include osmosis while the experiment is occurring.  CD rom:   The Plasma Membrane and Cellular Transport (optional).
3. Using a PowerPoint presentation, “Computer Modeling in Biology”, the teacher will introduce computer modeling
4. Students will explore computer modeling with examples of Stella and Excel. models and answer questions using the PowerPoint handout.