BIO 411

CELL BIOLOGY

LABORATORY 3
FLUID MOVEMENT: OSMOSIS

NO. NAME GROUP UITM ID NO.

1 NURUL ALIS SYAMIMI BINTI ABD MANAP AS2011A-2 2022827798
2 NUR MAISARAH BINTI SUHAIMI AS2011A-2 2022452588
3 NUR HUSNA BINTI PUTEH WAHAB AS2011A-2 2022491066
4 NUR NABILAH BINTI MOHD AZHAR AS2011A-2 2022478662
5 NURQISTINA BINTI MOHD SHAFFEE AS2011A-2 2022841844
6 NURUL ZULAIKHA BINTI KAMARRUDDIN AS2011A-2 2022615898

LECTURER NAME : CIK NUR HILWANI BINTI ISMAIL

DATE PERFORMED :
DATE SUBMITTED :
Title
FLUID MOVEMENT: OSMOSIS
Abstract
Osmosis is the net movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane driven by a
difference in solute concentrations on the two sides of the membrane. A selectively
permeable membrane (semi permeable membrane) is one that allows unrestricted passage
of water, but not solute molecules or ions. A different concentration of solute molecules leads
to different concentrations of free water molecules on either side of the membrane. On the
side of the membrane with higher free water concentration (i.e., a lower concentration of
solute), more water molecules will pass through the pores in the membrane in a given interval
of time. This in turn results in net diffusion of water from the compartment with high
concentration of free water to that with low concentration of free water. The key point
regarding osmosis is that water flows from the solution with the lower solute concentration
into the solution with higher solute concentration. In simpler terms, water flows in response
to differences in molarities across a membrane. The size of the solute particles does not
influence osmosis. Equilibrium is reached once sufficient water has moved to equalize the
solute concentration on both sides of the membrane, and at that point, net flow of water
ceases.

Task 1: Potato osmosis

Control Parameter: Volume of sucrose solutions
Measured parameter: Percentage change in mass
Variable measured: Average mass differences

Results

Concentration Average initial Average final Average mass % Change in

(M) mass (g) mass (g) differences (g) mass

0.01 0.62 0.75 0.13 +21%

0.02 0.64 0.76 0.12 +18.8%

0.05 0.62 0.74 0.12 +19.4%

0.1 0.63 0.73 0.10 +15.9%

0.3 0.63 0.68 0.05 +7.9%

0.5 0.61 0.61 0 0%

Distilled water 0.64 0.77 0.13 +20.3%

Discussion
Osmosis is the spontaneous net movement or diffusion of solvent molecules through a
selectively-permeable membrane from a region of high-water potential to a region of low
water potential, in the direction that tends to equalize the solute concentrations on the two
sides.
At the beginning each of the potato was cut to the same length and size to 14 strips. Then the
mass of each 2 of the strips is averaged for each of the 7 different sucrose solutions with
different concentrations;0.01M, 0.02M, 0.05M, 0.1M, 0.3M, 0.5M and distilled water.
The lower sucrose concentrations result in an increase in weight of the potato strip, meaning
water has entered the potato strips by osmosis. This means there is a higher water potential
inside the solution compared with the potato. We have a hypotonic solution. At higher
sucrose concentrations, however, we will have a decrease in potato strip mass. This tells us
the water potential is higher inside of the potatoes, so water as left the potato strips by
osmosis. We can say that the solutions are hypertonic to the potatoes. In isotoni solution,
there will be no change in mass of the potato strips.
Based on the experiment that we have done, we can see that all solution is hypotonic to the
potato strips due to each of the potatoes have increased in mass . Sucrose solution 0.01M
concentration is the most hypotonic with average mass different is 0.13g and change in mass
is 21%. 0.5 M sucrose solution is isotonic solution because average mass difference is 0g and
change in mass percentage is 0%. There is no net flow of water in or out of the potato strips.
Potato strips in this solution is neither shrink or swell because there is no gain or loss of water.
Task 2: Onion scale osmosis
Results and Drawing

Nucleus

Cell wall
Plasmolysed cell

Onion epidermis in 0.05 sucrose solution

40x total magnification

Plasmolysed cell

Nucleus

Cell wall

Onion epidermis in 0.02 sucrose solution

40x total magnification
 Cell wall
Nucleus

Plasmolysed cell

Onion epidermis in 0.01 sucrose solution

40x total magnification

Nucleus

Plasmolysed cell

Cell wall

Onion epidermis in 0.1 sucrose solution

40x total magnification
 Plasmolysed cell

Nucleus

Cell wall

Onion epidermis in 0.3 sucrose solution

40x total magnification

Plasmolysed cell

Cell wall
Nucleus

Onion epidermis in 0.5 sucrose solution

40x total magnification
 Nucleus
Cell wall

Normal cell

Onion epidermis in distilled water

40x total magnification

Discussion
An onion is a multicellular (many-celled) plant organism. An onion peel cell, like all plant cells,
has a cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, and a large vacuole. The nucleus is located
on the cytoplasm's periphery. The vacuole is visible and prominent in the cell's centre. It is
encased in cytoplasm. The presence of a cell wall and a large vacuole, as seen in the onion
peel, are indicators that help identify plant cells. The plasma membrane protects the cells
from outsiders who could easily enter. The nucleus is in charge of the entire cell's processes.
Water can pass both across the plasma membrane and the vacuole membrane because the
vacuole membrane is permeable to water. As a result, variations in the vacuole's size and
shape may be seen.
Osmosis has allowed water to penetrate the vacuole membrane because of the reduced
sucrose concentrations, which is indicated by an increase in vacuole size. This indicates that
the solution has a higher water potential than the onion cell does. A hypotonic solution exists.
However, onion cell become flaccid at greater sucrose concentrations. This indicates that
water has escaped the vacuole by osmosis since the water potential is larger inside the cell
wall. The solutions are said to be hypertonic to the onion cell.
From the observations, we can see that the onion cell is hypotonic to every solution. The
vacuole size is larger in distilled water, which is the most hypotonic solution, compared to the
area that expands in 0.5 M solution which is isotonic, remains constant.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the objective of the experiment has been achieved. The process of osmosis in
plant cells occurs when the movement of water molecules from a solution with a high
concentration of water molecules to a solution with a lower concentration of water
molecules, through a cell’s partially permeable membrane. Student abled to determine the
effect of surface area to volume ratio on osmosis. The increase in the surface area to volume
ratio of a cell is directly proportional to the rate of osmosis, that is it increases the rate of
osmosis. Student also can determine the tonicity of sucrose solution as hypotonic, isotonic
and hypertonic based on experimental observations. If a cell is placed in
a hypertonic solution, there will be a net flow of water out of the cell, and the cell will lose
volume. A solution will be hypertonic to a cell if its solute concentration is higher than that
inside the cell, and the solutes cannot cross the membrane. If a cell is placed in
a hypotonic solution, there will be a net flow of water into the cell, and the cell will gain
volume. If the solute concentration outside the cell is lower than inside the cell, and the
solutes cannot cross the membrane, then that solution is hypotonic to the cell. If a cell is
placed in an isotonic solution, there will be no net flow of water into or out of the cell, and
the cell’s volume will remain stable. If the solute concentration outside the cell is the same as
inside the cell, and the solutes cannot cross the membrane, then that solution is isotonic to
the cell.
References
BYJU’S. (2022). What Is Osmosis? - Definition, Types, Osmotic Pressure.
https://byjus.com/biology/osmosis/
Cognito. (2018, October 12), GCSE Biology - Osmosis #8. Youtube.
https://youtu.be/4Eq8rO3fABM
Davala, S., (2013). Simple Science Experiment: Osmosis with Onion Cell- MetroFamily
Magazine - April 2013 - Oklahoma City, OK.
Lenart, A., & Flink, J. M. (1984). Osmotic concentration of potato. I.Criteria for the endpoint
of the osmosis process. International Journal of Food Science & Technology,19(1),45-
63.

Libretexts, G. (2021, March 6). 2.1: Osmosis. Biology LibreTexts. Retrieved November 21,
2022, from
https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_and_General_Biology/Book%3A_I
ntroductory_Biology_(CK-12)/02%3A_Cell_Biology/2.01%3A_Osmosis

Mokhtar, W. M. F. W., Ghawi, S. K., & Niranjan, K. (2019). Dehydration of potato slices
following brief dipping in osmotic solutions: Effect of conditions and understanding
the mechanism of water loss. Drying Technology, 37(7), 885-895.
Pauller, N. [Noel Pauller]. (2015, November 18), Osmosis in Red Onion Cells - Mr Pauller.
Youtube. https://youtu.be/yWitjFsvPAY