Dialysis Project
Dialysis is a method in which certain substances can be removed through diffusion across a semipermeable membrane. Many people undergo dialysis treatment because their bodies become incapable of removing waste products on its own accord; people with kidney failures also have to attend intense dialysis treatment in order to make up for the kidneys' lack of filtering. Waste products can build up and form toxins, which can kill cells and ultimately cause death. It is an extremely serious condition.
Dialysis is possible through understanding diffusion, which is the movement across a semipermeable membrane from a higher concentration area to a lower concentration area. There are three main types of osmotic diffusion in both plant and animal cells: isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic.
Hypertonic - there is a lesser concentration outside of the cell, so water leaves the cell. This causes the cell to shrivel up: in animal cells, this causes it to ultimately die. In plant cells, this is what causes wilting.
Isotonic - there is an equal concentration of solute both inside and outside of the cell, which causes equilibrium. Water freely passes in and out of the cell, but there is no change.
Hypotonic - there is more concentration outside the cell, which causes water to enter the cell. In an animal cell, this may cause the cell to burst. There are several processes that regulate this, and keep the cell from getting too large. In plant cells, this is how vacuoles work in order to store water, nutrients, and minerals.
Isotonic - there is an equal concentration of solute both inside and outside of the cell, which causes equilibrium. Water freely passes in and out of the cell, but there is no change.
Hypotonic - there is more concentration outside the cell, which causes water to enter the cell. In an animal cell, this may cause the cell to burst. There are several processes that regulate this, and keep the cell from getting too large. In plant cells, this is how vacuoles work in order to store water, nutrients, and minerals.
Reflection:
Our group collaborated well together. We met once out of school in addition to the class time we were given, researched and organized our script, and thoroughly understood dialysis before making the video. We stayed on task and maintained a positive attitude even when we went through technical difficulties. If we could do the project again, I would have liked to start on the editing process sooner. We started off with one computer, but the new iMovie wasn't responding so we ended up not being able to utilize the first of the two class days.