Investigating the Effect of Different Solutions on Plant Cells

Investigating the Effect of Different Solutions on Plant Cells

The aim of my experiment is to find the effects of different solutions

on plant cells.

Osmosis is a form of diffusion, the movement of molecules to allow

them to mix, which occurs in plants. When a cell containing a weak

solution is next to a cell containing a stronger solution the water in

the weaker solution moves towards the stronger solution. This is why I

think that the pieces of potato in the concentrated solution will

decrease in both weight and length. However, I believe that the potato

will do the opposite and increase in length and weight.

I cut 15 identical pieces of potato, measured and weighed them, and

placed 3 in 0.25mol/l 3 in 0.50mol/l 3in 0.75mol/l 3 in 1.00mol/l and

3 in water inside a test tube. I ensured that each test tube had 10ml

of liquid surrounding the potato. I gave it 3 days before weighing and

measuring the potato again to see the difference. The reason behind

putting 3 pieces in the same level of concentration was to ensure a

fair test. I will ensure that amount of solution and length of potato

is the same because if they are different it will spoil the results of

the experiment. More concentration could cause weight differences and

length of potato could make it absorb more or less concentration than

other pieces depending on the difference in size. To ensure they are

the same I will use a measuring cylinder to measure the amount of

concentration I pour into each of the test tubes and I will measure

the potato as accurately as possible.

The equipment I will require is: 15 test tubes

2 test tube racks

A measuring cylinder

15 pieces of potato

30ml of each concentration

A ruler