Investigation to see how Concentration Affects the Rate of Osmosis on Potatoes

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Investigation to see how Concentration Affects the Rate of Osmosis on Potatoes

Planning

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The aim of this investigation is see how altering the rate the

concentration of water and salt solution affects the rate of osmosis

of potatoes.

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Osmosis is the diffusion of water from a high concentration of water

(a dilute solution) to a low concentration of water (a concentrated

solution) through a semi-permeable membrane. A semi-permeable membrane

is porous but allows water to pass through it more rapidly than

dissolved substances.

Dilute Solution

Concentrated

Solution

[IMAGE]

Movement of Water

Level of Water after Osmosis

Original level of Water

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Semi Permeable Membrane

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The diagram shows how water molecules have diffused from a dilute

solution to a concentrated across a semi permeable membrane. As a

result, the level of liquid on the left will rise, and fall on the

right.

The rate of osmosis is dependant on a few things. It depends on

· The thickness of the membrane

· The concentration inside and outside the membrane - Concentration

gradient

· The size of the ions

· The Surface Area.

Using potato cylinders and 1M Salt Solution (NaCl Solution). I will

look at the rate of osmosis on the potato cylinders in different

concentrations of salt solution. I will dilute the solutions using

distilled water.

Hypothesis

I predict that when the potato tubes are in a higher concentration of

the salt solution than the concentration of water, i.e. the solution

is concentrated, then the potato tubes will lose mass and become

smaller. This is because the concentration of water outside the potato

cylinders is concentrated, and there is not much water. Due to osmosis

the water inside the potato cylinders will move out. This will

decrease the mass of the potato, make it smaller and make it flaccid

due to the loss of water. The potato cells lose turgor and become

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