Osmosis

Aim:

The aim of this investigation is to compare & evaluate the effects of osmosis in potato chips. We aim to find out the different outcomes that can (and will) take place when the potato chips are placed in different amounts of concentrated solutions (Sucrose Concentration).

Scientific Knowledge:

* Water is absorbed by the potato chip due to the Potato Chip being permeable.

* Potatoes will increase in size.

* Potatoes will become more flexible.

What is Osmosis:

Osmosis is the passage of water from a region of high water concentration through a semi-permeable membrane to a region of low water concentration. Semi-permeable membranes are very thin layers of material (cell membranes are semi-permeable) which allow some things to pass through them but prevent other things from passing through. Cell membranes will allow small molecules like Oxygen, water, Carbon Dioxide, Ammonia, Glucose, amino-acids, etc… to pass through. Cell membranes will not allow larger molecules however, like Sucrose, Starch, Protein, etc… to pass through.

Plan:

For this investigation, I will need:

6 Test Tubes,

6 Potato Chips,

Cling Film (to cover test tubes)

Sucrose Concentration.

Firstly, I will cut the 6 potato chips so that they are almost exactly equal in length. I will measure the flexibility & the size of the potato chips before they are put into the sucrose concentration. Then I will put 6 different measurements of Sucrose Concentration into each of the 6 different test tubes (a different measurement in each one). I will then leave them for a period of 24 hours & after that time has elapsed, the potato chips should be more flexible & larger in size. I will then measure the potato chips after they have been removed from the Sucrose Concentration & I will record the results