Potato Osmosis Lab

Determining the osmotic concentration of solutes in living plants cells using potato cores. The experiment was designed to test the number of solutes available in living plant cells at different salt concentrations to determine the tonicity of each solution. This was tested by placing five equally sized potatoes in to five separate salt solutions varying in salt concentration for 20 mins. It is believed that the solution with the highest amount of salt will have the biggest difference in mass. By measuring the initial and final weight it was determined that the salt solution with the least amount of salt solution had the biggest change in mass. Osmosis is one of the ways cells take in water which helps with photosynthesis and the general upkeep

The materials used in this lab were 5 clear plastic cups, a beaker of distilled water, a marker, 5 potato cores of equal size, an electronic scale, different concentrations of salt concentrations (0%, 0.9%, 5%, 10%, 15%), and paper towels. Begin by labeling each of the plastic cups with the different amounts of salt concentration. Pour the same amount of solution into the designated cup. Zero out the scale then began measuring the initial weight of each of the potato cores record the data in a chart. Locate and set the timer for 20 minutes. After all initial weights are recorded place a single potato core into each cup and begin the timer. When the time is up remove each core and place it on a paper towel in front of the cup with its solution. To remove any excess water on the top and bottom lightly pat the core. Don’t squeeze the potato cores. Place each potato core on the weight separately and record its data. Determine the difference in potato core mass by subtracting the final weight from the initial weight and record it in the chart. Finally based on the difference determine the tonicity of each solution. Once all data has been collected begin to dispose of and clean up after the