Cell Membranes and Osmosis and Gummy Bears, Oh My!
Control gummy prototypesCopyright Monica Warr 2025
Students use gummy bears and their own gummy prototype to simulate a cell membrane as they learn how osmosis works in a cell and how water moves down the concentration gradient. As they learn more about cell membrane function, they better understand the concepts of cell membranes, osmosis, and concentration gradient.
Biomedical engineers design tools and systems to model how the human body works so they can study it in a safe and controlled way. By learning how different parts of the body interact, they can create new ways to deliver medicine, prevent and treat diseases, and build helpful devices like artificial joints and organs. They also improve technologies such as MRI machines and develop tools for robotic surgery. All of this work helps doctors take better care of people and improves our quality of life.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Describe how osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of high-water concentration to an area of low-water concentration (gradient).
- Discuss the effects that different solutions (water, sugar, salt) can have on the gummy bear and prototype due to their varying concentrations and properties.
- Record the changes in gummy bear and prototype length and weight, analyze the data, and explain their observations in terms of osmosis.