Osmosis is the movement of water from a region of higher concentration
( hypertonic ) to a region of lower concentration ( hypotonic solution ) through a cell membrane or other semi-permeable membrane until an equilibrium is reached. It is a special case of diffusion called “ passive transport “ which means no energy is required. Diffusion is the movement of a substance by which the molecules move from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.
Aim
Our aim of the experiment was to observe and investigate the process of osmosis, using different levels of salt concentration on potatoes.
Scope
In this investigation three square pieces of potato were placed into individual beakers containing different salt concentrations of 0%, 10% and 20% and observed for
120min.
Hypothesis
The theory behind this experiment was that the piece of potato placed into the 0% salt solution would increase in weight and size as it is a hypertonic solution. The pieces of potato placed into the 10% and 20% salt solution would theoretically decrease in weight and size as they are hypotonic solution.
Materials
1. 3 x 250ml beakers
2. 1 x Stirring rod
3. Table top scale
4. Tap water
5. Knife
6. Paper towel
7. 1 x Potato
8. Maker pen
9. Chopping Board
10.Ballpoint pen and Notepad
11.Stop watch
12.Salt
13.Spoon
14.Empty petri dish
Method
1. Gather all materials needed to perform experiment.
2. Using your marker pen label one beaker with 0%, another with 10% and the other with 20%.
3. Using tape water fill up each beaker up to 100ml line shown on the side of the beaker. 4. Get your table top scale and cancel to 0.00 and then place your empty petri dish on top.
5. Using your spoon scoop out 10grams of salt into your empty petri dish and then pour into your beaker thats labelled 10%.
6. Follow step 4 again, making sure that the petri dish is completely empty of any salt. 7. Using your spoon again, scoop out
References: Type: Website Reference: dpbiologyiszl, 2013, Potato Osmosis, website, accessed 20 October 2013, http://dpbiologyiszl.wikispaces.com/file/view/Sample+Lab+Report+Potato+Osmosis. pdf Summary & Evaluation: This is a similar report on a similar potato osmosis experiment which was performed by another biology student. I believe this is a reliable source, because this is a report on someones actual work and displayed pictures and evidence of their experiment. So you were able to see that it was a true source of information. I found it to be very useful in structuring my report.