Question

Two peeled large carrot pieces are placed in beakers one containing water and the other containing sugar solution. The carrot pieces are observed after 8 hours. Now answer the following

a) What is the difference in the physical state of carrots is observed in two beakers?
b) Name the process involved in changing the shape of carrots.
c) Why was the above process occurred?
d) Name the type of solution in beaker 1 and the type of solution in beaker 2
e) Name a process in your daily life which works on the same principle.

Answer 1

a)Difference in physical state observed:

The difference between the two carrots is that the carrot in the plain water appears bigger or slightly swollen while the carrot in the salt water appears smaller and has shrank in length and slightly in width.

b)Process involved that has caused the changes:

The process that has taken place is osmosis.

c)Why has the process occured:

The process occurs due to the semi-permeable membrane of the cells of carrots that allow water either in or out of the cells.

In the plain water, the process that takes place is endosmosis where the cells of the carrot draw in water and hence the carrot increases in mass. The carrot in the salt water, on the other hand, experiences exosmosis, where water is drawn from the carrot's cells and the carrot becomes dehydrated and shrinks in length and width.

d) Beaker 1 : Water

Beaker 2 : Sugar Solution

e) example of endosmosis is absorption of capillary water from the soil by the root.

another example of endosmosis is is entrance of water in the xylem vessel from the soil by the root.