What does the cell membrane do? Launch Lab LESSON 3: 5 minutes

Name
Date
Class
Chapter 2 Lesson 3
Launch Lab
LESSON 3: 5 minutes
What does the cell membrane do?
All cells have a membrane around the outside of the cell. The cell membrane separates the
inside of a cell from the environment outside a cell. What else might a cell membrane do?
Procedure
1. Read and complete a lab safety form.
2. Place a square of wire mesh on top of
a beaker.
3. Pour a small amount of birdseed on
top of the wire mesh. Record your
observations below.
Data and Observations
1. What part of a cell does the wire mesh represent?
2. What happened when you poured birdseed on the wire mesh?
3.
Key Concept How do you think the cell membrane affects materials that enter
and leave a cell?
46
Cell Structure and Function
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