Name:________________________________________________

Date:__________________

Lab: Osmosis in Potato Cells

Purpose: To observe the process of osmosis in potato cells.

Materials:
Triple beam balance
3 Cups (labeled A, B, C)
Timer

Graduated Cylinder
100 mL Distilled Water
100 mL of 5% Salt Water

9 pieces of Potato
100 mL of 20% Salt Water
Plastic Spoon & Paper Towel

Pre-lab Questions:
1. Define:
a. Osmosis
b. Diffusion
c. Solute
d. Solvent
e. Solution
f. Hypertonic
g. Hypotonic
h. Isotonic
2. Why does the investigation ask you to create three different solutions?
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3. What are some differences between the liquids used in the investigation?
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4. What data will you record in the Data Table?
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5. Why do you need to record the time which you measured the potato?

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Procedure:
1. Collect materials.
2. Find the mass of three pieces of potato and record the results in the data table under the
10 minute column in the cup A rowplace the potato pieces into the cup labeled A.
3. Find the mass of three pieces of potato and record results in data table under the 10
minute column in the cup B rowplace the pieces into the cup labeled B.
4. Find the mass of three pieces of potato and record results in data table under the 10
minute column in the cup C rowplace the pieces of cut potato into the cup labeled C.
5. Add 100 mL of 20% salt water to cup A.
6. Add 100 mL of distilled water to cup B.
7. Add 100 mL 5% of water to cup C.
8. Start timer.
9. After 10 minutes remove the pieces of potato from cup A. Gently, pat the potato of
excess water. Find and record the mass in the row labeled cup A. Immediately place
pieces of potato into the original cup. Repeat step 9 for cups B and C and continue
timing.
10. After 20 minutes remove the pieces of potato from cup A. Gently, pat the potato of
excess water. Find and record the mass of the potatoes under the 20 minute column in
the row labeled cup A. Immediately place pieces of potato into the original cup. Repeat
step 10 for cups B and C and continue timing.
11. After 30 minutes remove the pieces of potato from cup A. Gently, pat the potato of
excess water. Find and record the mass of the potato under the 30 minute column in the
row labeled cup A. Repeat step 11 for cups B and C.
12. Clean up lab area.
Throw away all trash including pieces of potatoes.
Empty cups into sink, rinse, and place in designated area.
Return lab materials/equipment to designated area.
Wipe down lab station/area.
13. Determine the percent change in mass of the potato pieces in cup A, cup B, and cup C.
Use the formula below to calculate the change in mass. Record results in data table.

14. Graph the percent change for the potatoes in each cup verses time intervals of 10 minutes.
Title

Label axis
Use equal spacing on scale
Include appropriate units
Include a key/legend
Plot data correctly

Potato Mass Data Table:

Cup

Initial
Mass

Mass
10 min

Mass
20 min

Final Mass
30 min

A
20% Salt
Water
B
100%
Distilled
Water
C
5% Salt
Water

Percent Change in Mass Data Table:

Cup

A
20% Salt
Water
B
100% Distilled
Water
C
5% Salt
Water

% Change in
Mass
10 minutes

% Change in
Mass
20 minutes

% Change in
Mass
30 minutes

Discussion Questions:
1. A. Did any potato gain size over time? If so, which one(s)?
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B. Did any potato lose size over time? If so, which one(s)?
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C. Explain why there were changes in the size of the potatoes, either a loss or a gain.
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2. Were the results consistent throughout the class? If not, explain the sources of error
that may
have affected the results.
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