Osmosis Lab
How Does Salinity Effect Osmosis in Plant Cells?
Introduction
Osmosis is a type of diffusion but is the movement of water molecules in and out of the cells from a high concentration to low concentration through a semi permeable membrane. The aim of the experiment is to investigate the effect the salinity of solutions has on the process of osmosis and net weight gain/ loss by potato cells. This would be done by using similar size potato cubes and covering them with different concentrations of saline solutions (0.5% and 2.0%) in beakers then measuring the change in weight of the potato cubes. If the salinity of the solution is high then the weight of the potato cubes will decrease.
Materials
• 9 X 2cm2 potato cubes
• 3 X …show more content…
Attach masking tape to each toothpick labelling them from 1-9 and insert in to each cube to see the weight gain/ loss of each cube.
2. Label 3 beakers with A, B, C, D
3. Weigh each cube and record results, to allow comparison between the initial weight of cube and final weight.
4. Place potato cubes labelled 1-3 into beaker A, 4-6 into beaker B and 7-9 into beaker C
5. Carefully cover the potato cubes in beaker A with distilled water, as a controlled group to be able to compare the weights gain/loss of the cubes of the saline solution.
6. Carefully cover the potato cubes in beaker B with 0.5% saline solution and beaker C with 2.0% saline solution.
7. Keep overnight to allow for osmosis to occur.
8. Remove each cube from the beaker, slightly dry it with a paper towel and weigh it, and record the results.
Results
The results in the graph show the average percentage change in mass of potato cells in comparison to the concentration of sucrose in the solution. Starting point with 0 concentration of saline in the solution shows the average percentage change in weight in the potato cubes. There is a slight decrease in weight change of the potato cubes in 0.5% saline solution. The graph shows a steeper gradient which shows that the weight of the potato cubes in 2.0% saline solution had
Introduction
Osmosis is a type of diffusion but is the movement of water molecules in and out of the cells from a high concentration to low concentration through a semi permeable membrane. The aim of the experiment is to investigate the effect the salinity of solutions has on the process of osmosis and net weight gain/ loss by potato cells. This would be done by using similar size potato cubes and covering them with different concentrations of saline solutions (0.5% and 2.0%) in beakers then measuring the change in weight of the potato cubes. If the salinity of the solution is high then the weight of the potato cubes will decrease.
Materials
• 9 X 2cm2 potato cubes
• 3 X …show more content…
Attach masking tape to each toothpick labelling them from 1-9 and insert in to each cube to see the weight gain/ loss of each cube.
2. Label 3 beakers with A, B, C, D
3. Weigh each cube and record results, to allow comparison between the initial weight of cube and final weight.
4. Place potato cubes labelled 1-3 into beaker A, 4-6 into beaker B and 7-9 into beaker C
5. Carefully cover the potato cubes in beaker A with distilled water, as a controlled group to be able to compare the weights gain/loss of the cubes of the saline solution.
6. Carefully cover the potato cubes in beaker B with 0.5% saline solution and beaker C with 2.0% saline solution.
7. Keep overnight to allow for osmosis to occur.
8. Remove each cube from the beaker, slightly dry it with a paper towel and weigh it, and record the results.
Results
The results in the graph show the average percentage change in mass of potato cells in comparison to the concentration of sucrose in the solution. Starting point with 0 concentration of saline in the solution shows the average percentage change in weight in the potato cubes. There is a slight decrease in weight change of the potato cubes in 0.5% saline solution. The graph shows a steeper gradient which shows that the weight of the potato cubes in 2.0% saline solution had