The aim of this experiment is to investigate the effect of changing solute concentration on osmosis in potato cells.

Authors Avatar

HEMA PINDOLIA

Osmosis investigation

Aim: The aim of this experiment is to investigate the effect of changing solute concentration on osmosis in potato cells.

Factors to consider: The factors to consider whilst planning this experiment are:

  • The weight of the potato cell- the heavier the potato cell is the more water it would be able hold.

  • The length of the potato cell- the longer the potato cell is the less it will decrease in size.

  • The turgidity of the potato cell- the more turgid the potato is to start with the less it will increase in size for higher water concentration.

  • The solute concentration- the stronger the concentration used on the potato cells the more it will change the length of the potato chip.

I have chosen to investigate the effect of changing solute concentration on osmosis in potato cells. I will investigate this by measuring the lengths of the potato cells.

Variables: There are variables that can affect what happens in the experiment.

-For this experiment, I will be changing the concentration of the solution to see the results of the potatoes when placed in salt solutions placed in different moralities.

-I will be measuring the length change of the potatoes. I will record the length changes using a ruler.

-Fixed Variables. The things that I have chosen to keep the same in each individual experiment to keep it a fair test is to keep the same sizes of each potato tissue the same by using a ruler. I will also keep the same amount of solution placed in the Petri-dishes for each experiment. I will measure this with a measuring cylinder. I will also carry out this experiment at room temperature because if I do not it could affect the end results. Additionally I will also use the same potato throughout the experiment, as using a different one may produce anomalous results as some potatoes may have a higher turgidity than others.

Join now!

Hypothesis: I have chosen to investigate the effect of changing salt concentration on osmosis in potato cells. Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a selectively-permeable membrane from a region of high water concentration to a region of low water concentration. This means that the tiny holes in the membrane of the potatoes will allow the water molecules to pass through in and out of the solution. In osmosis only the water molecules move, solutes do not. The water molecules can pass both ways (as shown in the diagram below). However because there are more water molecules on one ...

This is a preview of the whole essay