88.8k views
1 vote
This is for my biology class. It is for the osmosis potato lab (Google it if you don't know what it is) and I have to answer this question. I also have to include the words at the bottom. This is really confusing and I would be so happy if someone could please help me with this!

How can a scientist use this lab to determine the amount of solute in an Idaho potato?

Use the following vocabulary words in your final conclusion statement below:
Hypertonic, hypotonic, isotonic, dynamic equilibrium, solute, solvent, osmosis

User Poudigne
by
5.3k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Step-by-step explanation:

A scientist can use this experiment to determine the amount of solute in any potato.

hypotonic solution is a relative term. it means when we compare two solutions one of them is considered to be a hypotonic if it's solute concentration is less than the other.

so if the solution has less solute concentration its hypotonic solution and if it has more amount of solute its hypotonic solution. if both solutions have same amount of solute then it will be considered as a isotonic solution. when we separate two solution hypertonic and hypotonic by a semipermeable membrane there occurs diffusion of water molecules from its higher concentration to its lower concentration that is from hypotonic solution to hypertonic solution.

this movement of water molecules is called osmosis. this occurs in order to obtain an dynamic equilibrium between the 2 solutions.

here we take start as solute and water as solvent.

thus when a scientist and potato in a hypotonic solution the water moves inside the potato cavity. the more the transfer of water molecules in the potato cavity the more in the sugar quantity present in the potato. this is because the water will try to obtain a dynamic equilibrium between the two solutions if the sugar quantity in the potato cavity is high then the water molecules needed to dilute that solution will also be high.

in in this way a scientist can determine the amount of salt present in the potato.

User Abecee
by
4.7k points