BIOL 2515 Name:_____________

A&P I

Osmosis
Osmosis Introduction
In this lab you will observe how water diffuses into our out of potato cells (osmosis) based on the
concentration of the solution that it is placed in.

Before we begin our discussion of osmosis we first should recall some osmosis, molecular movement,
and water facts:

• Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

• Diffusion is the movement of a substance from a region of higher concentration to lower
concentration.
• A solution is comprised of a liquid something is dissolved in, and the molecule that is dissolved
in that liquid.
• In biological systems water is the solvent, what you put in water, glucose, NaCl, Dextrose,
Sucrose, is the solute.

Materials – Per pair

• Potato • NaCl solution • Scale
• Knife • Weigh boats • Forceps

Exercise 2. Data collection

Use the knife to cut the potato into cubes that weigh approximately 10 grams, you will need a total of 5
cubes. Determine what NaCl solution each of the cubes will be placed in (be sure once you pick a
solution to put the cubes in you don’t move it into a different solution). Weigh each of the cubes and
record there mass using the provided table. Submerge each cube in the appropriate solution and wait 5
minutes. Use the forceps to remove each cube and discard excess water (do your best to treat each cube
the same when you do this), weigh the cube, and record the mass in the provided table.

time 0% 1% 2% A B
mass change mass change mass change mass change mass change
(current (current (current (current (current
time- time 0) time- time 0) time- time 0) time- time 0) time- time 0)

0 6.26g 0 6.31g 0 6.25g 0 6.12g 0 6.14g 0

5 6.42g +0.16 6.39g +0.08 6.21g -0.04 5.94g -0.18 6.33g 0.19
10 6.51g +0.25 6.31g 0 6.13g -0.12 5.77g -0.35 6.41g 0.27
15 6.60g +0.34 6.30g -0.01 6.01g -0.24 5.59g -0.53 6.33g
20 6.62g +0.36 6.29g -0.02 5.90g -0.35 5.51g -0.61 6.26g
25 6.66g +0.40 6.28g -0.03 5.86g -0.39 5.43g -0.69 6.18g
30 6.73g +0.47 6.27g -0.04 5.80g -0.45 5.38g -0.74 6.14g
35 6.77g +0.51 6.25g -0.06 5.74g -0.51 5.32g -0.80 6.10g
40 6.78g +0.52 6.25g -0.06 5.67g -0.58 5.32g -0.80 6.08g
BIOL 2515 Name:_____________
A&P I

Exercise 2. Graphical analysis of data

Use the graph provided on the last page of the lab to graph the data you recorded in the table
above. After you have completed the graph insert a picture of it in the space provided below. Note:
if you have software that lets you draw on the graph, you can just fill out the graph on the last
page. In that case you do not need to insert a picture.

Based on the graph you made, briefly describe the results of your experiments in the space below.
BIOL 2515 Name:_____________
A&P I

Exercise 3. Questions

Based on the data collected which solution(s) were isotonic to the potato? Explain your answer.

Based on the data collected what solution(s) were hypertonic to the potato? Explain your
answer.

Based on the data collected what solution(s) were hypotonic to the potato? Explain your
answer.

Given that a potato has the same osmolarity as you (that is, the concentration of solute in a
potato is the same as the concentration of solution in one of your cells), what solution do you
think is isotonic to you? Explain your answer.

Use the internet to find the answer to the following question. When a person receives an IV
solution it has to be isotonic to their red blood cells, what percent NaCl (saline) solution is used
in IV bags? Does this align with the data you recorded in the lab?

What would you expect to happen to a red blood cell placed in a .5% NaCl solution? A 1%
solution? A 2 % solution?
BIOL 2515 Name:_____________
A&P I

Graph to print