Presented with raw potato how would you carry out an experiment to determine the concentration of the potato cell in molar strength?

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Potato Investigation

Presented with raw potato how would you carry out an experiment to determine the concentration of the potato cell in molar strength?

The experiment was set up to be as fair as possible. Then the potato chips were cut into 15 cylinders using a cork cutter and then cut to a length of exactly 4cm each with a scalpel. Then three were weighed at one time on a top pan balance to find an average mass, this was done because it did not involve confusion over which potato cylinder was which after the experiment. Once these averages were found and recorded the potato chips were placed into their test tube solutions of 0.0M(distilled water), 0.25M, 0.5M, 0.75M and 1.0M solutions of sucrose. Then the contents, each containing three potato cylinders were left for 50minutes. When the time was over I removed the potato with a pair tweezers and placed them on a paper towel to try and dry of any excess water. Then I weighed the potato again together in their threes on a top pan balance and found the average mass.

Prediction

I believe from my past knowledge of a similar experiment involving raw eggs that the potato cylinders placed in the distilled water will be hyperosmotic, therefore the water will diffuse by osmosis into the potato from an area of high concentration down the concentration gradient. This will result in a gain of mass for the potato.

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However in the 1.0M solution I think that the opposite will occur as there will be a higher concentration of water within the potato than the solution, containing lots of solute, this will make the potato hpo-osmotic and it will lose its water content as the water diffuses out.Finally, a difference between the egg experiment and the potatoes that the cells will not reach equilibrium (become iso-osmotic). This is because plants have a cellulose cell wall which cannot expand beyond a certain point as it is turgid, therefore the contents will never be able to be equal to the outside ...

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