What are effect of osmosis on potato strips?

When potato strips are placed in different solutions, osmosis occurs, affecting their size, texture, and concentration of solutes. Let's explore the effects of osmosis on potato strips:

1. Hypertonic Solution:

- Potato strips placed in a hypertonic solution (higher concentration of solutes outside the cell) experience osmosis, causing water molecules to move out of the cells.

- As a result, the potato strips shrink in size as the cell membrane pulls away from the cell wall, creating a plasmolyzed state.

- The potato strips become limp and flexible due to the loss of water and turgidity.

- The concentration of solutes inside the potato cells increases as water moves out.

2. Hypotonic Solution:

- When potato strips are immersed in a hypotonic solution (lower concentration of solutes outside the cell), water molecules move into the cells through osmosis.

- This influx of water causes the potato strips to expand and become larger. The cells become turgid, and the potato strips feel firm.

- The concentration of solutes decreases within the potato cells as water enters.

3. Isotonic Solution:

- In an isotonic solution (equal concentration of solutes inside and outside the cell), there is no net movement of water across the cell membrane.

- The potato strips remain unchanged in size and maintain their original shape and firmness.

- The concentration of solutes remains the same both inside and outside the potato cells.

These observations demonstrate the impact of osmosis on potato strips. The movement of water across the cell membrane due to differences in solute concentrations causes changes in cell volume, texture, and solute concentration within the potato strips.