Left arrow black
Back to simulations

Osmosis and Diffusion: Choose the right solution for an intravenous drip Virtual Lab

Help save Frank’s life by choosing the correct saline solution for an intravenous drip. Join Dr. One in the lab to discover what a hypotonic, isotonic and hypertonic solution is and how water is transported across the cell membrane in osmosis.

Try NowTry for Free
Green Checkmark Icon

Higher Education

Green Checkmark Icon

High School

Logo Taylor's UniversityArizona State University LogoLogo uOttawaLogo Univ. Essex
Labster is used by 1,000's of amazing schools and universities
Read Case Studies
Blue Arrow Right
 
Osmosis and Diffusion: Choose the right solution for an intravenous drip

About this Simulation

Choosing an IV fluid

You will meet Frank in the hospital. He is dehydrated because of sunstroke and needs extra fluids. There are three solutions available, but which one is the correct one to avoid damaging Frank’s blood cells?

Finding the isotonic point

Join Dr. One in the lab to understand exactly how water is transported across the cell membrane in osmosis. An animation will show you how the solute concentration of a solution can be equalized through diffusion and osmosis. You will see how solutes can move through the solution via diffusion and how water is transported across a semipermeable membrane in osmosis. You will then place potato cubes in a serial dilution of saline to see how water moves either into or out of the cells depending on the salt concentration.

Once you have plotted your results, you will be able to identify the isotonic point where the salt concentration of the solution is exactly the same as the salt concentration inside the cells. You will also see in which direction the water moves in both a hypotonic and a hypertonic solution. Finally, you can see the effect of hypotonic and hypertonic solutions on cells by adding these solutions to a blood sample and observing the red blood cells under the microscope. 

Back to the hospital

After your experiments, you fully understand the three saline solutions that were available to Frank and the effect that the salt concentration will have on the cells in his blood. Review your hypothesis and advise Frank and his doctors on the correct IV solution.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this simulation, you will be able to:

  • Understand how solute concentration drives the movement of molecules across a semipermeable membrane
  • Distinguish between osmosis and diffusion
  • Define the terms osmosis and hypotonic, hypertonic and isotonic solutions
  • Compare and contrast osmosis in hypotonic and hypertonic solutions

Techniques in Lab

At the end of this simulation, you will be able to:

  • Determine isotonic point
  • Microscopy

How do virtual labs work?

Engage students in science through interactive learning scenarios. Simulate experiments, train lab techniques, and teach theory through visual experiences that enhance long-term learning outcomes.

Green Checkmark Icon

300+ Web-based simulations that can be played on laptops, Chromebooks, and tablets/iPads without installing any software

Green Checkmark Icon

Teacher dashboard to automate grading and track student progress

Green Checkmark Icon

Embedded quizzes to help students master science content

Green Checkmark Icon

Library of learning resources, lab reports, videos, theory pages, graphics and more

Book a Free Consultation

Relevant Course Packages

All Course Packages
Black arrow right

Get Started Now!

Try Labster with your students right away.
Green Checkmark Icon

Track student progress

Green Checkmark Icon

Assess with customizable quizzes

Green Checkmark Icon

Invite your students to play simulations

Green Checkmark Icon

Explore over 300 Labster simulations

Green Checkmark Icon

30 days for free, no credit card needed

Start your free trial today to discover the possibilities with Virtual Labs

Integrate with your LMS

Labster integrates with all major LMS (Learning Management Systems) so that educators can use their gradebooks to track students’ performance data and students can keep a record of their work. Labster is compatible with Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, Google Classroom, Schoology, Sakai, and Brightspace / D2L. It’s also possible to use Labster without an LMS.

How to Integrate Your LMS
Blue Arrow Right

Frequently asked questions

What do students learn in the "Osmosis and Diffusion: Choose the right solution for an intravenous drip" simulation?
What is the simulated Biology scenario in this virtual lab?
What other Biology labs does Labster offer?