Students learn about the different structures that comprise cell membranes, fulfilling part of the Research and Revise stages of the legacy cycle. They view online animations of cell membrane dynamics (links provided). Then they observe three teacher demonstrations that illustrate diffusion and osmosis concepts, as well as the effect of movement through a semi-permeable membrane using Lugol's solution.

Welcome to 'Cell Membranes - Composition and Passive Transport' ModuleBy the end of this module, students will be able to: -          Understand the structure, composition, and function of the cell membrane -          Recognize how the membrane effects the rest of the cell and the larger organism-          Visualize key concepts through our instructional video-          Recall knowledge with our self-quiz of key concepts presented in both the module and the video-          Critically apply this information through our in-class activityScroll down for more information on resources available in this module.GIF by Amoeba SistersResources:Cell Membrane Handout (thorough explanation of material, 5 pages long)Cell Membrane Instructional Video (Stuti and Scarlett visually present the process of passive transport)Khan Academy Diffusion and Passive Transport Article With Images (This article provides a shorter summary of Diffusion and Passive Transport with images for visual comprehension.)Cell Membrane Key Concepts & Comprehension Questions (List of key concepts presented in the Handout and Video, followed by comprehension questions)Cell Membrane Self-Quiz (Test your memorization of key concepts)Cell Membrane In-class Activity (Apply your knowledge of key concepts to the greater picture)Answer Key for In-class Activity (Compare your answers, and work on problems areas with Cell Membrane Handout, Key Concepts, or Video.)Cell Membrane Case Study (Evaluate your knowledge by applying it to this case study about how passive transport relates to digestion and diarrhea.)Website, resources, and content created by Stuti Patel, Ifrah Raja, Rubiya Dhillon, Kate Wilcox, and Scarlett Leon. 

This course introduces the basic driving forces for electric current, fluid flow, and mass transport, plus their application to a variety of biological systems. Basic mathematical and engineering tools will be introduced, in the context of biology and physiology. Various electrokinetic phenomena are also considered as an example of coupled nature of chemical-electro-mechanical driving forces. Applications include transport in biological tissues and across membranes, manipulation of cells and biomolecules, and microfluidics.

Using ordinary household materials, student “biomedical engineering” teams design prototype models that demonstrate semipermeability under the hypothetical scenario that they are creating a teaching tool for medical students. Working within material constraints, each model consists of two layers of a medium separated by material acting as the membrane. The competing groups must each demonstrate how water (or another substance) passes through the first layer of the medium, through the membrane, and into the second layer of the medium. After a few test/evaluate/redesign cycles, teams present their best prototypes to the rest of the class. Then student teams collaborate as a class to create one optimal design that reflects what they learned from the group design successes and failures. A pre/post-quiz, worksheet and rubric are provided.

Through two lessons and five activities, students explore the structure and function of cell membranes. Specific transport functions, including active and passive transport, are presented. In the legacy cycle tradition, students are motivated with a Grand Challenge question. As they study the ingress and egress of particles through membranes, students learn about quantum dots and biotechnology through the concept of intracellular engineering.