Osmosis in Potato Cells

Submitted by: Casey Marshall

Olivia Modesti, Zach Geffert
November 4, 2015
Bio II CP- Period 5
Discovering the Isotonic Point in Potato Cells
Objective:
The objective of this lab is to determine the isotonic point for model potato cells and a sugar
solution.
Variables:
Independent Variable: amount of sucrose
Dependent Variable: mass of potato
Constants: number of potatoes, amount of water, time in solution
Controls: 0 M ; NO sucrose in deionized water
Introduction:
To discover the isotonic point of model potato cells, the potato cells must be soaked in
sugar solution, and their change in mass must be evaluated. After the potatoes are soaked in
different amounts of sucrose, a change in mass should be present. A process that takes place in
the potato cells is osmosis. Osmosis is the process of molecules of a solvent pass through a semi-

permeable membrane from a less concentrated solution into one that has a higher concentration.
This allows each concentration level in each side of the membrane to reach equilibrium.
Equipment:
6 cups
Sucrose solutions
Water
Potato cubes
Weigh boat
Balance
Procedure:
1. Use the following sugar (sucrose) solutions
a. 1M = 34.2g sucrose in 50 ml of water
b. 0.8M = 27.4g sucrose in 50 ml of water
c. 0.6M = 20.5g sucrose in 50 ml of water
d. 0.4M = 13.7g sucrose in 50 ml of water
e. 0.2M = 6.8g sucrose in 50 ml of water
f. 0M = NO sucrose in deionized water
2. Use six cubes of potato.
3. Mass each potato cube, place weight boat on balance before weighing, then write down
their initial mass in a table.
4. Soak the potatoes in 10 ml of the appropriate sucrose solution overnight.
5. Mass the potatoes again after taking them out of the solution using a weight boat (gently
pat dry off excess solution).
6. Calculate the percent (%) change in each potato cubes mass.
7. Gather class data and figure out the isotonic point.
Data:
Sucrose Molarity
1M
0.8 M
0.6 M
0.4 M
0.2 M
0M

Initial Mass (g)

1.66 g
1.98 g
2.1 g
2.47 g
2.32 g
1.89 g

Final Mass (g)

1.2 g
1.4 g
1.7 g
2.4 g
2.4 g
2.2 g

Sucrose Molarity
1M
0.8M
0.6M
0.4M
0.2M
0M

Results:
1M = 1.2 1.66 = -0.46
-0.46 / 1.66 = 27.7 %
0.8M = 1.4 - 1.98 = -0.58
-0.58 / 1.98 = 29.3 %
0.6M = 1.7 2.1 = -0.4
-0.4 / 2.1 = -19 %
0.4M = 2.4 2.47 = -0.07
-0.07 / 2.47 = 2.8 %
0.2M = 2.4 2.32 = 0.08
0.08 / 2.32 = 3.4 %
0M = 2.2 1.89 = 0.31

Change in Mass (g)

-0.46 g
-0.58 g
-0.4 g
-0.07 g
0.08 g
0.31 g

% Change in Mass (g)

-27.7 %
-29.3 %
-19 %
-2.8 %
3.4 %
16 %

0.31 / 1.89 = 16 %

Isotonic Point of Model Potato Cell Using Various Sucrose Concentrations Through Percent Change of Mass
20
10
0

0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8

1.2

% change in Mass (g) -10

-20
-30
-40

Sucrose Concentration

Conclusion:
Claim: The molarity of 0.3 M is the isotonic point of the model potato cells.
Evidence: The line graph shows that the isotonic point is at the sucrose concentration of 0.3M.
The tables also show that the transition from negative to positive percent changes occurs between
the sucrose concentration of 0.2M (3.4%) and 0.4M (-2.8%).
Reasoning: The evidence above supports the claim of the isotonic point of 0.3M in model potato
cells. Each side of the membrane reached equilibrium and was at the same concentration level,
successfully performing osmosis.
Reflection:

There were no concerns with the process of conducting the lab. The calculations and data
collected are both accurate.