CP- Osmosis In Potato Slices

Question 1

What will happen when a plant cell is placed in a concentrated solution?

Answer 1

Water moves out of the plant

Cell shrinks

Question 2

What will happen when plant cell is placed in water?

Answer 2

The water will move into the cell.

The cell will expand.

Question 3

In simple terms, explain the method of the osmosis potato practical.

Answer 3

1. Label and fill separate boiling tubes with sucrose solutions. Place in a boiling tube rack.
2. Cut similar sized potato chips, that fit in the tube.
3. Blot them dry.
4. Measure and record the mass.
5. Place each potato in a tube and leave for 15 mins.
6. After 15 mins, remove and blot potato chips dry.
   Record the mass again.

Question 4

How do you work out the percentage change in mass for each potato slice?

Answer 4

% change = change in value
——————— x 100
original value

Question 5

What can you conclude?

Which solution caused the cell to lose/gain mass?

Answer 5

The solution with the highest concentration of water (10%) lost mass.
The lower concentration of water (0%) gained mass.