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The effect of osmosis in potato cells with different concentrations of sucrose solution

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The effect of osmosis in potato cells with different concentrations of sucrose solution

Aim: To test the effect of different concentrations of sucrose solution to osmosis in a potato cells by putting potato pieces in test tubes of water containing different concentrations of sucrose solution. Scientific Theory:

Osmosis is defined as the movement of water molecules across a partially permeable membrane from a region of high water concentration to a region of low water concentration. In a high concentration of water the amount of solute (e.g. sugar) is low. This could be called a weak or dilute solution. In a low concentration of water the amount of solute (e.g. sucrose) is high. This could be called a strong or …show more content…

Prediction: I think that the higher the concentration of sucrose the larger the amount of water will be transported into the potato cells as osmosis is the net flow of water through a selectively permeable membrane from a high water concentration to low water concentration.
This means the water molecules from a low sucrose solution will move water molecules but not sugar molecules through the potato skin into the potato cells making it turgid and absorb water molecules from the solution surrounding it. In a higher concentration of sucrose in a solution the same process will occur but less water can be transported as there will be more sugar and less water meaning that excess water from inside the potato cells will transport from the cells to the high sucrose concentration solution which will cause the potato to shrink and become flaccid.

Plan

Apparatus:

1 potato
Cork borer
Sucrose solution
Distilled water
10 Test tubes (boiling tubes)
Burettes

Scales

I will be measuring the mass of the potato piece after osmosis has occurred in the test tube, after the process has happened I will take out the potato and dry it to ensure excess water is not added to the results which could produce an anomalous result, I will then place the potato piece onto the scales and note the results on a table.

The control variable in my experiment is the water that

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