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A dialysis bag filled with 0.4 M sucrose at 22C sits in a beaker of distilled water open to the atmosphere. What is the water potential of

the contents of the bag and of the beaker? What is the direction of water movement? (Note, sucrose cannot move through the dialysis
bag)

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The water potential of the distilled water in the beaker is zero, and that of the sucrose solution in the dialysis bag is negative. Water moves from the beaker into the dialysis bag until equilibrium is reached.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question involves a dialysis bag filled with 0.4 M sucrose solution at 22°C placed in a beaker of distilled water. The water potential of the distilled water in the beaker is zero (since it is pure water and there is no solute) and is the highest possible water potential. The water potential inside the dialysis bag will be negative because the sucrose solution has a lower concentration of free water molecules compared to the distilled water. According to principles of osmosis, water will move from a region of higher water potential (the beaker) to a region of lower water potential (the dialysis bag) through the semipermeable membrane of the dialysis bag, which allows the passage of water molecules but not sucrose molecules. This net flow of water will continue until equilibrium is reached and the water potential is the same on both sides of the membrane.

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