FORM 4 BIOLOGY LABS

NAME:……………………………………………………. DATE:………………….

LAB NUMBER: …………..

TITLE: OSMOSIS IN POTATO TISSUE

AIM: To observe the effects of osmosis in potato tissue.

MATERIALS/ APPARATUS:

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METHOD:

1. A potato was carefully peeled using a knife/ scalpel.

2. A cork borer was used to obtain two cylinders from the potato.

3. The potato cylinders were then measured and cut to a length of 5cm.

4. The texture of the potato strips was assessed by rubbing the potato cylinders in the

hand. The texture was noted in the Results table.

5. One potato cylinder was placed in a petri dish containing 25ml of distilled water and

covered. This dish was labelled A.

6. The other potato cylinder was placed in a petri dish labelled B, which contained 25 ml

of sodium chloride solution and covered.

7. Both petri dishes were left for 25-30 minutes, after which, the texture of all cylinders

were assessed and the lengths of the two potato cylinders were measured and

recorded.

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Prepared by: I. L. Maharaj-Ramcharitar
 FORM 4 BIOLOGY LABS

DIAGRAM:

RESULTS:

Title:

Petri dish Initial texture Final texture Initial Final Change in

length/cm length/cm length/cm

DISCUSSION:

1. What is osmosis?

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2. Based on the results, explain why the lengths of the potato cylinders changed in the

way they have.

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Prepared by: I. L. Maharaj-Ramcharitar
FORM 4 BIOLOGY LABS

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3. Do the changes in texture of the cylinders fit in with the explanation given above?

Explain.

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SOURCES OF ERROR:

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PRECAUTIONS:

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CONCLUSION:

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REFLECTION:

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Prepared by: I. L. Maharaj-Ramcharitar