11Bio Inquiry Task 4: Osmosis in Potato Cylinders

What is osmosis?

• The movement of solutes from a low to high concentration

• The diffusion of water through a semi-permeable membrane

• The active transport of water molecules

• The movement of starch molecules into a cell

Why does osmosis occur in potato cells?

• The potato cells absorb salt from the solution

• Semi-permeable cell membrane

• The potato cells produce more water inside than outside

• The salt solution moves into the potato cells

What happens to a potato cylinder placed in distilled water (0.0M salt solution)?

• It loses water and shrinks

• It gains water and swells

• It dissolves in the water

• It remains unchanged

What happens to a potato cylinder placed in a hypertonic solution?

• It gains water and increases in mass

• It loses water and decreases in mass

• It remains unchanged in mass

• The starch inside the potato moves out into the solution

Which of the following best describes an isotonic solution?

• A solution where the solute conc is equal inside and outside

• A solution where water enters the cell, causing it to swell

• A solution where water leaves the cell, causing it to shrink

• A solution that causes the cell wall to break down

Which solution would likely be isotonic for a potato cell?

• 0.0M salt solution

• 0.2M salt solution

• The concentration where there is no net change in mass

• 1.0M salt solution

What happens to the water pressure inside the potato cells in a hypotonic solution?

• It decreases, causing the cells to shrink

• It increases, causing the cells to become swell

• It stays the same

• The potato cell bursts due to too much water

Why do plant cells not burst when placed in distilled water?

• The plasma membrane absorbs excess water

• The cell wall provides structural support

• The nucleus controls the water intake

• The salt inside the cells prevents excess water from entering

Why is percentage change in mass used instead of just the difference in mass (potato cylinder osmosis exp)?

• It ensures the results are positive numbers

• It accounts for differences in the initial size of the potato pieces

• It makes the experiment easier to conduct

• It increases the accuracy of the digital balance

If a potato cylinder decreases in mass after being placed in a solution, what does this indicate?

• Water has moved into the cells

• Water has moved out of the cells

• The potato has absorbed salt

• The starch inside the potato has dissolved