Question

Which of the salt solutions was most likely isotonic relative to the intracellular fluids of the potato?

Answer 1

The salt solution that is most likely to be isotonic relative to the intracellular fluid of the potato is when the salt solution is at its 0.5%, this will likely be isotonic relative in terms of the intracellular fluid of the potato when added.

Answer 2

Isotonic solutions are the solutions which have same salt concentration or having same osmotic pressure across the semi-permeable membrane.

Now, as we know, the molarity of intracellualar fluids of potato is approximately equals to 0.2 M. Hence, the salt solution should have approximately 0.2 M concentration in order to achieve same osmotic pressure.

Molecular mass of salt (NaCl) = 58.44 g/mol

Molarity = 0.2 M

Volume of solution = 100 ml

Now, molarity =
`(given mass)/(mol. mass)` x
`(1000)/(vol of solution in ml)`

Hence, 0.2 = (given masss)/58.44 x (1000/100)

11.688/10 = given mass

Given mass = approx 1.17 gm

Hence, 1.17 % salt solution would most likely to be isotonic to the intracellular fluids of potato.