Osmosis in Potato Course Work

What affect does concentration of solution have on potato tissue?

In my preliminary investigation, I will be controlling the following variables:

• length of potato cylinder;

• amount of solution / water;

• type of potato;

• size of potato;

• temperature of water;

• same ruler / person.

Changing the concentration of solution:

Using three glass test tubes, I will set up the following configuration:

• Test tube 1 - Distilled water;

• Test tube 2 - 5% salt solution;

• Test tube 3 - 10% salt solution.

All quantities will be made the same and accurately measured to ensure a fair test.

I will accurately cut three pieces of potato chip (40mm / 4cm), each one the same length. Each chip will then be inserted into each test tube simultaneously. I will then leave them in the test-tube for twenty minutes, take each out simultaneously and then record the difference in length for each chip.

After conducting my preliminary experiment, I have recorded the following results:

To improve the reliability / accuracy of my preliminary investigation, I could make the following changes:

• not using the same cylinder to measure out the different water solutions;

• calculating the mass change in the