Dialysis Tubing Experiment

Yes, chloride ions can pass through the cell membrane of human cells. The cell membrane is selectively permeable, meaning that it allows certain ions and molecules to pass through while keeping others out. Chloride ions can pass through the cell membrane through ion channels or transporters, depending on the concentration gradient and the electrochemical gradient. A simple experiment would require the isolation of cells, such as red blood cells. One group of cells would be submerged in a known concentration of salt, the other without (control group). After 20 minutes, the cells would be collected, washed from any excess salt water, blended so that cell membrane is disrupted, and subsequently exposed to silver nitrate. If the precipitate forms in the experimental group, it suggests that the cells are permeable to chloride, and so a transport mechanism exists. It is also important that no precipitate forms in the control group.

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