Diffusion of water from a dilute solution to a concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane
Plant cells placed in water
Water moves into the cell by osmosis, causing the cell to expand
Plant cells placed in concentrated solution
Water moves out of the plant cell by osmosis, causing the cell to shrink
Investigating the effect of osmosis on plant tissue
1. Peel potato
2. Use cork board to produce cylinders
3. Trim cylinders to same length
4. Measure length and mass of cylinders
5. Place cylinders in test tubes with different solutions
6. Leave overnight
7. Remove cylinders, gently roll on paper towel
8. Measure length and mass of cylinders again
Distilled water
Contains no dissolved substances that could affect the weight of osmosis
Percentage change
Calculated as: (change in value / original value) x 100
Graph of percentage changes in mass or length against concentration of sugar solution shows gain in water in dilute solution, loss in concentrated solution, and no change at the concentration inside the cell
