BIOLOGY LAB REPORT: DP #1

What is the effect of different solute concentration (M) on the

mass (gm) of the potato tissue?
Aim
The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a solution's molarity on the rate of osmosis.

Research Question
What is the effect of different solute concentrations(M) on the mass (gm) of the potato tissue?

Hypothesis
The hypothesis for this experiment is, since water travels from a lower to higher solute
concentration in osmosis to dilute a solution, the percent mass change of the potato chips would
be smaller if the salt water concentration was greater.
(Allott, A. 2020, March 26).

Background
Osmosis is a very important process for cells. It involves the motion of water molecules across
semipermeable membranes and is driven by a difference in water concentrations on either side of
the membrane. Allott, A. (2020, March 26). If the water is acting as a solvent, then the
concentration or molarity of the solution will dictate the efficiency of the osmotic process.
Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a region of high water molecules
concentration to a region of low water concentration through a semipermeable membrane.

Personal Engagement
Finally, My personal participation in this lab includes laying out various tables in a google
document to observe and record the experiment's findings. Prior to the experiment, I examined
the varied masses of the potatoes and documented the data in the table I created. After we
inserted the potatoes, I gradually shifted to setting the 30 minute timer for the experiment and
just began observing the effect of osmolarity on them. After the time restriction had expired, I
began measuring the new masses of the potatoes after the experimentation with the rest of my
group members and re-recording them. To guarantee reliability, this was done in two separate
trials.

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Procedure
1. Fill six test tubes with a sucrose solution with different molarities(0.0M,
0.2M,0.4M,0.6M,0.8M, 1.0M).
2. Measure individual masses of 6 dry pieces of potato using a scale.
3. Immerse into each test tube, one piece of potato was slowly using a
tweezer.
4. Leave the pieces to stand for a duration of 30 minutes.
5. Remove the pieces carefully from the test tubes using a tweezer, and after
dab gently with a tissue, measure the individual masses after 30 minutes.
6. Record the results in suitable tables to help with the investigation.

Variables
Table 1: Independent, dependent, and controlled variables of this investigation

Independent Variables Type of potato utilized, concentration of

solute solution, time given for the potato
to grow.

Dependent Variables The mass of potato after the salt

concentration

Uncontrolled Variables Temperature and time of the day

Table 2: Controlled Variables of this investigation

Controlled variable How was it controlled? Why was it controlled?

The concentration of salt solution This variable was It was of vital importance

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The number of potatoes used per
tube
Time given for the potatoes to grow
(30 minutes)
Environmental/ Safety Considerations
Safety Considerations:
1. In preparation for the experiment, bring all of your personal lab equipment, including lab
coats.
2. Never leave the experiment unattended at all times.
controlled through adding
only 3ml of the salt
concentration
This variable was
controlled, through adding
solely one potato per tube.
This variable was
controlled through
specifying a particular time
(30 minutes) to allow the
potatoes to grow
to control this particular
variable, since if one tube
got a higher or lower
concentration of salt
solution than the others, it
may get different results
than the rest of the tubes.
It is fundamental to control
the amount of potatoes
used in the experiment,
because if more than one
was utilized per tube, it
would have divided the
quantity of the salt
concentration
It is important to control
the time given for the
potatoes to grow, in order
to see the different results
obtained at equal time
measurements.
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 3. The MKS Biology lab's nearest fire exit is through the main door. Use this path to exit in
the event of an emergency.
4. Stand up while conducting the experiment, to avoid the salt solution from pouring on
your lap.
Environmental considerations:
Waste disposal: To avoid endangering the environment's health, we disposed of the gloves, since
they were the garbage generated throughout the trial.

Qualitative Data
In terms of the qualitative results, the plant species used was a "potato," which is an excellent
example for osmolarity testing. Both the inner and exterior of potatoes are typically yellow in
appearance. Furthermore, this experiment was conducted between the hours of 11:30 a.m till
12:30 p.m during the day; nonetheless, the presence or absence of sunlight has no impact on the
results of the experiment, so you may do it at any time of day, but it is important to have the
temperature regulated for a better outcome.

Raw Data
Table (3) shows the different masses(g) of the potato samples before the immersion in solute
solution and after it.

Osmolarity Trial 1: Weight Trial 1: Weight Trial 2: Weight Trial 2: Weight

concentration before Experiment after Experiment before the after the
(M) (gm) (gm) Experiment (gm) Experiment (gm)

0.0 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.2

0.2 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.2

0.4 0.9 1.2 0.9 0.6

0.6 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

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 0.8 0.4 0.8 0.4 0.4

1.0 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.2

Processed Data
Sample Calculations
Weight before the experiment and after it
● 0.6-0.5=0.1 gm
The average difference in mass of potato (gm)
● 0.1+0.3/2=0.2 gm
● 0+0.6/2=0.3 gm
● 0.3+0.3/2=0.3 gm

Table (4) shows the difference in masses(g) of the potatoes for both trials 1 and 2 at each solute
concentration, followed by average difference in the masses (gm)

Solution Concentration Trial 1: The difference Trial 2: The difference The average difference
(M) in mass of potato (gm) in mass of potato (gm) in mass of potato (gm)

0.0 0.1 0.3 0.2

0.2 0.0 0.6 0.3

0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3

0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0

0.8 0.4 0.0 0.2

1.0 0.1 0.4 0.25

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 Graph (1) shows the Average Mass (gm) of the Potato Tissue vs. Solution
solute Concentration (M)

Analysis

The fundamental aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a solution's molarity on the rate
of osmosis.

As per the numerical statistics in the Raw Data Table, it can be told that the mass numbers of
each potato before and after the experiment were indicated, in both trials one and two, and they
were accurately recorded as seen above.

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Progressively, the difference between the mass numbers before and after the experiment were
calculated for both the trials, and therefore permitted us to obtain the average through adding
both masses and dividing them by a sum of 2.

Evaluation on the experiment

Strengths There are several numerous variants of the independent variable: The
independent variable's modifications yielded more precise outcomes because
they enabled for a much more detailed examination into the distinction
between concentrations ranging from salt solution that produce a specific
change in mass, therefore it was considered to be a strength.

Weaknesses The temperature was not controlled: The biology laboratory was not
temperature regulated attributed to a combination of factors, namely natural
light and the installation of an air conditioner in the room. This impacted the
rate of osmosis, which in turn influenced the findings.

Improvements Place the potatoes in a temperature-controlled environment, such as sunlight

or refrigerator: It will enable all of the potatoes' osmosis to occur at the same
rate, resulting in more precise conclusions.

APA references

● Allott, A. (2020, March 26). Biology book PDF Ib Salievalga. Retrieved October 04,
2021, fromhttps://amzapkietrud.weebly.com/biology-book-pdf-ib.html

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● Hawley, A. (2021, April 15). Potato Osmosis Lab. Retrieved October 13, 2021, from
https://about.dataclassroom.com/ready-to-teach/potato-osmosis-lab