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Essay / Factors Affecting the Rate of Osmosis - 1146
Factors Affecting the Rate of OsmosisPlanObjectiveTo find out if osmosis occurs in a potato and observe how different concentrations of a solution affect the rate of osmosis in the potato. What is osmosis? Before actually planning the experiment, I will do some research to learn more about osmosis and related issues, so that I can make predictions and find a way to make this investigation fair and safe. Planning ahead would help me figure out how to do what, when to do it, etc. This should lead me to good results at the end of the experiment. Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a solution with a high water concentration to an area with a low water concentration. water concentration, through a semi-permeable membrane. Below is a diagram illustrating the process of osmosis: [IMAGE] Water potential is the tendency of water to move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. This is a primary factor that affects the rate of osmosis, because the higher the concentration of water, the more likely it is to move to an area of low water concentration. In this case, the tiny holes in the potato membrane will allow water molecules to pass through. to enter and exit the solution and the potato, depending on the concentration gradient of the two substances. So, in this case, when the water concentration is lower in the potato, the water will enter the tissues of the potato and the potato will gain weight. If there is very little difference between the two water concentrations, there should not be as large a change in weight. And if there is a higher concentration of water in the potato, the water will come out of the potato. The potato cells will have decreased in length, volume and mass due to a process called plasmolysis. The cell is surrounded by water and therefore absorbs water, making the