IBDP Biology Required Practical

Required
Practical 2
Estimation of Osmolarity in Tissues

Skill: Estimation of osmolarity in tissues by bathing

samples in hypotonic and hypertonic solutions.

Ⓒ Power of Science, 2022

 Estimation of Osmolarity in Tissues
IBDP Biology Required Practical

Required Practical 2
Skill: Estimation of osmolarity in tissues by bathing samples in hypotonic and hypertonic
solutions.

Key Terms
Osmolarity Hypertonic Turgor pressure

Hypotonic Osmosis Plasmolysis

Isotonic Concentration

Experiment Outline
1. Measure initial mass of plant tissue.
2. Submerge plant tissue into a known sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration for a fixed time
frame.
3. Remove plant tissue from sodium chloride concentration, and measure final mass of plant
tissue.
4. Calculate change in mass (or Percent mass change) of plant tissue.
5. Repeat procedure for at least 5 concentrations and 5 replicates.
6. Produce a scatter graph with trendline with NaCl concentration on the X-axis, and change in
mass of plant tissue on the Y-axis
7. Identify the osmolarity of the plant tissue by identifying the NaCl concentration where the
trend line crosses the X-axis.

Suggestions for Experiment Set-up

• Use potato chips of fixed dimensions (Use cork borers to cut chips of the same diameter)
• Use concentrations between 0% NaCl and 10% NaCl concentrations
• Use 30 ml of NaCl solutions in boiling tubes
• Include at least 5 different NaCl concentrations [Do include 0% - distilled water, as a control]
• Suggested submersion time frame: 20 to 60 minutes

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 Estimation of Osmolarity in Tissues
IBDP Biology Required Practical

Experiment Report Write-up

(Optional)

This is a good opportunity for you to practice experiment report writing skills in preparation for
completing your Biology Internal Assessment. The following provides guidance for what should be
included in a complete experiment report:

Exploration
(View IB Exploration Criterion Rubric)

Research Question

Write a clear research question linking the independent variable (NaCl concentration) and the
dependent variable (Change in mass).

Background information

Include information on the following:

• Process of osmosis
• Importance of turgor pressure in plant cells
• Information on how plants usually maintain turgor pressure, including how plant cells
maintain hypertonic concentrations of solutes within the cytoplasm/vacuole of the cells
• Impact of hypertonic, isotonic and hypotonic solutions on plant tissue
• Information on the plant tissue used in the investigation
• How the osmolarity of the plant tissue can be identified using a scatter graph

Ensure that scientific literature is used and cited appropriately within this section.

Hypothesis

Answer the research question by predicting the effect of changing the independent variable (NaCl
concentration) on the dependent variable (change in mass), supported by cited scientific literature.

Variables

Independent Variable: (NaCl concentration): Identify the range of NaCl concentrations, and explain
your reason for choosing this range. Consider doing some research to get an estimate of the
expected NaCl concentration.

Dependent Variable: (Change of mass of plant tissue). Explain how the masses are measured, and
how the change in mass is calculated.

Explain why the mass of the plant tissue changes as osmosis happens.

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 Estimation of Osmolarity in Tissues
IBDP Biology Required Practical

Control Variables: Identify the control variables, explain how and why each control variable is
controlled. Where possible, include measured values of controlled variables [Example: Volume of
NaCl solutions = 30ml].

Consider controlling the following:

• Volume of NaCl solutions

• Surface area of plant tissue
• Temperature of NaCl solution
• Source of plant tissue
• Age/health of plant tissue
• Time of submersion

Material List

Make a clear list of all materials required to carry out the investigation. Be specific regarding
measurements, use metric units, and include precision error of all measuring instruments.

Examples:

• 150 ml of 1% NaCl solution

• Electronic balance ± 0.01g

Procedure

Produce a clear numbered step-by-step procedure.

Ensure that you:

• Identify at least five variations of the independent variable (NaCl concentration)

• Clearly state that each variation is repeated at least 5 times.
• State which calculations will be carried out:
o Change in mass of plant tissue for each trial.
o Mean change in mass of plant tissue for each NaCl concentration.
o Standard deviation of the mass change of the plant tissue for each NaCl
concentration.

Safety, Environmental, and Ethical Considerations

• Identify all possible safety concerns, and explain what is done to keep people safe when
doing the experiment
• Explain all precautions that are taken for all chemicals used in the experiment. Where
possible, include citations
• Explain how all materials are safely disposed of after the experiment

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 Estimation of Osmolarity in Tissues
IBDP Biology Required Practical

Analysis
(View IB Analysis Criterion Rubric)

Qualitative Data

Include a list of relevant qualitative data which can help in answering the research question.

Consider:

• Flexibility of plant tissue before and after submersion in the different NaCl concentrations
• Change in colour of plant tissue
• Shape and texture of the plant tissue (are there any differences in the plant tissue
examples?)
• Whether the tissue floats in any of the NaCl concentrations

Raw Data

Include two raw data tables, one for ‘Initial Mass of Tissue’, and one for ‘Final Mass of Tissue’.

Sample Table:

Table 1: Initial Mass of Plant Tissue

Concentration Initial Mass of Plant Tissue / 0.00 ±g

of NaCl / % I II III IV V

Ensure that both tables include the following:

• Titles including the independent variable (Concentration of NaCl) and the dependent
variable (Initial/Final mass of plant tissue)
• Column and row headings
• Units and precision error shown for all measured values
• Consistent precision in data, which matches precision error
• Consistent precision (# of decimals) in data, which matches precision error.

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 Estimation of Osmolarity in Tissues
IBDP Biology Required Practical

Processed Data

Include a processed data table.

Sample Table:

Table 3: Change in mass of plant tissue

Concentration Change in Mass of Plant Tissue / 0.00 ±g

of NaCl Standard
I II III IV V Mean
solution / % deviation

Include a processed data table which includes:

• Calculated values for each change of mass

• Calculated mean mass change for each NaCl concentration
• Calculated standard deviation for mass change for each NaCl concentration
• Titles, including the independent variable (Concentration of NaCl) and the dependent
variable (Initial/Final mass of plant tissue)
• Column and row headings
• Units and precision error shown for all measured and calculated values
• Consistent precision in data, which matches precision error
• Mean and standard deviation, correctly calculated

Graph

Use the processed data (NaCl Concentration on the X-axis, and Change in Mass of Plant Tissue on the
Y-axis) to produce a scatter graph.

The graph should include the following:

• Axes titles with units and precision error shown

• Correctly plotted data points
• Appropriate line of best fit
• Correctly constructed error bars using the calculated standard deviations
• Correctly calculated R2 values

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 Estimation of Osmolarity in Tissues
IBDP Biology Required Practical

Evaluation
(View IB Evaluation Criterion Rubric)

Conclusion

Describe the trend on the graph identifying the relationship between the independent variable (NaCl
concentration) and dependent variable (Change in mass of plant tissue). Explain the trend using
scientific theory, supported by citations.

The conclusion should include the following:

• A correct description of the trend (if any) in the graph

• An identification of the concentration of the potato tissue - this will be the NaCl
concentration where the trend line crosses the X-axis
• An explanation of the trend using an understanding of biology
• An attempt to answer the research question
• A comment on the implications of the data on the hypothesis
• A description of the implications of the error bars
• A description of the significance of the R2 values

• An explanation of the trend using relevant (cited) biological theory

• A comparison of results to scientific theory with citations [if possible, reference to scientific
journals]
• Suggested explanations for differences between your results and biological theory

Evaluation of the Experimental Procedure

Include strengths, problems and improvements.

Strengths

Possible strengths include:

• Sufficient data to identify a trend on a graph – 5 data points are required to identify a trend
• Sufficient data to carry out statistical analysis - Standard Deviation requires 5 repeats
• Sufficient data to answer the research question – 5 variations of the independent variable
and 5 repeats
• Data recorded by measuring instruments allows the research question to be answered – in
this case, the balance measured clear mass differences of the plant tissue before and after
submersion.
• Variables were effectively controlled, and it is possible to explain how these variables were
able to be kept constant.

Comment on the range of the data. If the standard deviations are small, the data is reliable and this
is a strength. If the standard deviations are large, the data is not reliable and this is a weakness.

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 Estimation of Osmolarity in Tissues
IBDP Biology Required Practical

Problems and Improvements

Identify any problems (Qualitative observations can help identify problems) that may affect the
quality of the data (the change in mass of plant tissue) collected. Explain the impact of each problem
on the data.

Suggest improvements to attempt to solve each identified problem. Explain how each suggested
improvement would improve the quality of the data (the change in mass of plant tissue) collected.

Possible problems for this investigation include:

• The assumption that all NaCl solutions had the same temperature.
• The surface area was not effectively controlled, as the texture of the tissue was varied/not
cut effectively to the same length.
• The potato tissue changed color (oxidized) before being submerged.
• Water on the submerged tissue adds to the mass of the tissue.

Extensions

Suggest and explain extensions to the experiment.

Extensions to this experiment could include:

• Repeating the investigation with different types of plant tissue.

• Repeating the experiment with plant tissue of different ages.
• Using a different method (outline the method) to investigate the effect of NaCl
concentration on change in mass of plant tissue.

Works Cited
• Use one recognized system for documenting sources – consider using an online tool such as
MyBib.
• Include in-text citations within the report, including all graphics used within the report.
• Include a complete, alphabetical works cited list at the end of the report, for all of the in-text
citations
• All internet sources should include date accessed in the works cited list.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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 Estimation of Osmolarity in Tissues
IBDP Biology Required Practical

Communication
(View IB Communication Criterion Rubric)

Communication is assessed holistically, with the IB Examiner making a judgement based on the
whole essay.

The Examiner will be looking for the following:

• Appropriate titles for each section

• The report is 6-12 A4/Letter pages long
• The variables, procedure, data and conclusion relate to the research question
• In-text citations are effectively used throughout the report
• Correct alphabetical works cited (including date accessed for online sources) is included for
all in-text citations
• All graphics include captions and are referred to in the text
• SI units used throughout
• Biological terminology is correctly used throughout

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 Thank You!
Estimation of Osmolarity in Tissues
IBDP Biology Required Practical

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