The speed at which a substance diffuses from one area to another depends primarily on the concentration gradient

between those areas. For example, if concentrations of a diffusing substance at the two areas differ greatly, then diffusion is
rapid. Conversely, when the concentration of a substance at the two areas is equal, the diffusion rate is zero and there is no
net movement of the substance. Osmosis is diffusion of water across a differentially permeable membrane. Osmosis
follows the same laws as diffusion but always refers to water, the principal solvent in cells. In the context of plant roots,
they absorb rainwater entering the soil because it has higher water potential than water inside the roots, so water moves
into the roots via osmosis. We will try to observe this phenomenon in the lab using potatoes.

FOR VIRTUAL
Group Letter A Section STEM 12D
de los Santos, Trishia
Faciolan, Krystel Eve
Group Members Janeo, Aaron Jude
Lorejo, John Vic
Samonte, Sean Carlo

I. OBJECTIVES
At the end of the activity the students will be able to:
1. Understand the concept of diffusion through osmosis; 2.
Observe diffusion in varying concentration gradients; and
3. Identify factors affecting osmosis diffusion outputs.

II. PROCEDURE

1. Access and watch the video: https://youtu.be/jTDATlaBV-o

III. ANALYSIS
a. Having the idea of osmosis, what are the important variables/parameters that you have to
identify and observe in the experiment watched? (5pts)

After watching the experiment and the discussion about osmosis, the important variables that have been
identified are the varying length and softness/turgidity of the potato strips (dependent), and the varying
amounts of salt (independent) mixed in water. During the experiment, the potato strips were cut 6 cm in
length. The saline solutions were then prepared with a constant amount of water which is 100 mL mixed
with the varying amount of salt (Note: the potatoes were also submerged in water alone (no salt added).
After retrieving the potatoes that were submerged in the solution, one will notice how the potatoes in
some of the solutions with salt became smaller. The two identified variables, namely the varying length of
potato strips (after the experiment) and the amount of salt mixed in water are indirectly proportional to
each other. In other words, the more concentrated the solution is, the smaller and softer the potatoes are.

1
 b. What sample concentration produces the softest and most turgid potato tubes? (2pts)

The group observed that those potato tubes that are submerged in the more concentrated solutions were
softer compared to the lower concentrated ones (potato tubes are turgid). Based on the sample
concentration mentioned in the video, the potato tubes that were immersed in a salt solution of 5 g/100
ml produced a softer product compared to the potato tubes in a 0 g /100 ml salt solution which produced
a turgid outcome.

c. From the graph presented in the video, what is the relationship between Average Change in
Length of the potato tubes to the Salt Concentration? (3pts)

After observing the video, the change in the amount of solute affects the length of the potato strips. If the
experiment has a lower salt concentration it will show an increase in the length of the potato strips,
hence it shows that water has entered the potato strips. However, in the experiment where it has a higher
salt concentration, we will have a decrease in potato strip length, which means that the potato strips have
more water in them and have left the potato’s osmosis. This also means that the average change in the
length of the potation tubes is indirectly proportional to the salt concentration (higher salt concentration,
smaller length; lower concentration, bigger length)

d. What is your conclusion based on your observations and understanding of osmosis? (5pts)

After the experiment, we understood how osmosis works. The experiment utilized three main materials
namely potatoes, salt, and water. After acquiring the submerged potatoes in water and saline solutions,
we noticed a change in the length of these potatoes (which were initially cut at 6cm). Results show that
the higher the amount of salt mixed into water, the shorter and softer the potatoes. Meanwhile, the
potatoes in distilled water alone (no salt mixed) became bigger/contsant and turgid. Osmosis refers to
the movement of water molecules across a membrane trying to achieve equilibrium. This shows the
process of osmosis. As no salt was present in the distilled water, there is a higher concentration of water
molecules in it rather than in the potatoes which then made the water move inside the potato. On the
other hand, the water molecules present in the potatoes move out to the solution as the water will move
from an area of less salt to more salt.

Reasoning and explanation rubric:

Each item records the average score based on the criteria listed below.

Criteria Rating

Scientific Claim Highest possible score 2-point lower than the highest possible score
Assertion that something is true. Exemplary Satisfactory
Makes a claim that is sufficient to Makes a claim that is sufficient to answer the
answer the question and is coherent. question or is coherent.

Explanation Highest possible score 2-point lower than the highest possible score
Describes how and why a phenomenon occurs Exemplary Satisfactory
Provides an explanation that addresses Provides an explanation that addresses how or why
how and why a phenomenon occurs a phenomenon occurs