The osmotic potential of a potato

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The Osmotic Potential of a Potato

Peter Hicks

Aim

The aim of this experiment is to find the osmotic potential of a potato weighing approximately 1.09 grams.

Experiment

I place 6 pieces of potato each weighing approximately 1.09 grams in 6 test tubes. I then added different concentrations of sugar sucrose solution to each one which both adds up to 10 mols. For example 4mols. of sucrose concentration and 6mols. of water . I then repeat this procedure to ensure that the results are accurate meaning there will be 2 test tubes each for the same concentration of liquid. I then wait 24 hours approximately, and then weigh the 12 pieces of potato. Once the pieces are weighed I can tell the osmotic potential, I then process the information into a graph and calculate the osmotic potential.

Here is a test tube that I used

Fair Points

-Use the same amount of liquid in each tube to ensure accuracy

-Use the same type of test tube to ensure accuracy

-Have the same surface area for each potato piece to ensure consistency  

-Wait for the same amount of time before weighing the piece of potato to ensure accuracy

-Repeat to make sure that the results are accurate and reliable

-Use the same Potato to ensure that the cells are all similar        

-Have them in the same temperature to ensure accuracy

Changes after doing the preliminary work

In the preliminary work we only used 2 test tubes; instead we used 12 this time for a more in depth study of the osmotic potential of potato weighing approximately 1.09 grams. In the preliminary work the results were to few to really establish any proper understanding of osmosis, in the main work we used 12 so the results were more reliable.

List Apparatus

- Test tubes (12) – to contain the potato pieces each weighing approximately 1.1 grams

- Test tube rack – to hold the test tube upright to prevent spillages

- Slate – to keep the desk clean

- Knife – to cut the pieces of potato

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- Cork borer – to extract cylinder shaped pieces of potato out of the potato

- Syringe with measurements imprinted on the side (2) – to add the solution into the test tube accurately. I have one test tube for the distilled water and one for the sucrose solution.

Stickers (12) – to mark onto the 12 test tubes the concentration of sucrose solution

  • Electric scales – to weigh the pieces of potato before the experiment to establish there weight and alter I them to have a similar weight for each; and after to gather there osmotic potential

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