Osmolarity in potatoes

Wang Yuran G11

2016/1/29
 Planning A:
Research question:
-How does osmosis affect the mass of potato cell in different concentrations?

Background information:
Osmosis is a type of diffusion, the diffusion of water through a selectively
permeable membrane from a region of high water potential to a region of low
water potential. We call that osmotically active substance (OAS).
Three terms, hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic, are used when referring to
two solutions separated by a selectively permeable membrane. The hypertoic
solution has a greater concentration of OAS than the solution on the other side
of the membrane. It is described, therefore, as having a greater osmolarity. The
hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of OAS, or a lower osmolarity,
than the solution on the other side of the membrane. When the two solutions
are in equilibrium, the concentration of OAS being equal on both sides of the
membrane, the osmolarities are equal and the substances are said to be
isotonic. The net flow of water is from the hypotonic to the hypertonic solution.
When the solution are isotonic, there is no net flow of water across the
membrane.
The concept of osmotic pressure must be understood when studying osmosis.
The movement of water from a hypotonic solution through the membrane into
a hypertonic solution can be prevented by applying force or pressure on the
hypertonic side. The force that must be applied to prevent osmotic movement
of water from hypotonic to hypertonic, measured in atmospheres, is referred to
as osmotic pressure. Solutions with greater concentrations of OAS have greater
osmotic pressures because greater force is required to prevent water
movement into them. Distilled water has an osmotic pressure of zero.

Hypothesis：
As the concentration of solution increase, the mass of potatoes will also
increase.
Apparatus list:
 1 large potato tuber
 Sucrose solutions: 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6M
 7 X 250ml beakers
 Razor blade
 Sharpie
 Forceps
 Deionized water (0 molar)
 Balance
 Paper towels
 Metric ruler (30cm)
 Aluminum foil
 Petri dish
 Cutting board
 Goggles
 Vegetable peeler
 Results and Analysis B:
Raw data:
 See the Excel document

Processed results/calculation:
The change of solution concentration against the percentage change
in the mass of potatoe
30

25

20

Standard deviation
15 Average of %change in mass
%change in mass 8.68%
32.36% 7.08%
10

0
Sucrose Molarity (M)

Analysis:
Using my results, I was able to plot a graph of average change in mass against
molarity of solution.
From the graph, I can see that as the molarity of the solution increases, the
average change in mass of the piece of potato also increases. This shows that
reverse osmosis has occurred; the solution outside the piece of potato has
drawn water out from the potato. This is because the stronger the solution, the
less water there is in it. This means that there is more water inside the cell, and
therefore, because water molecules have kinetic energy, more movement of
water particles inside the cell, causing more particles to move through the
partially permeable membrane because there is an overall larger rate of
movement of particles. Basically, in the experiments where the molarity of the
solution was high, water moved from inside the cell to the solution, causing the
loss of mass in the potato pieces.

Limitation:
My limitation for this experiment is very hard to cutting the potato into a
same size, then it cannot make sure every piece of potato have the same size.
However the experiment require every potato have the same mass exactly. So
there will be a little deviation during the result.

Conclusion:
During this experiment, I clearly understand how the different solution
concentration effect the mass of the potato. From my results and my graph, I
can draw the conclusion that the molarity of a solution does affect the rate of
osmosis; in a solution with a lower molarity, more osmosis occurs than in a
solution with a high molarity. In a solution with a higher molarity, reverse
osmosis occurs. Then connect to my hypothesis at first time. It proved that if
the concentration of solution increases, the mass of potato will also increase.