Osmosis is the net movement of water from a high water potential to an area of low water potential through a semi-permeable (selectively / partially) membrane
In the experiment of Osmosis and Potatoes, which were the TREATMENTS?
To study how osmosis affects living-cells. To study what happens to living-cells when placed in different solutions...
In the experiment of Osmosis and Potatoes, which was the CONTROL?
The control was a slice of potato that wasn't placed in any solution.
Explain what happened to the potato in the ISOTONIC solution after a few days.
The potato kept the same size as the CONTROL potato. (Flaccid cells). Water entered and left the potato at the same rate, there was no net movement of water.
Explain what happened to the potato in the HYPOTONIC solution after a few days.
The potato increased size. Water diffused by osmosis into the cells of the potato, causing them to swell. The cells of the potato are "turgid", or swollen.
What's the difference between an ISOTONIC, HYPOTONIC and HYPERTONIC solution?
ISOTONIC: equal concentration of solute. HYPOTONIC: contains less concentration of solutes. HYPERTONIC: contains a higher concentration of solutes.
Explain what happened to the potato in the HYPERTONIC solution after a few days.
The potato shrunk. The water diffused OUT of the cells of the potato by osmosis, causing them to shrink; the cells were "plasmolysed"
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