Investigating the Difference in Isotonic Point in Sweet and White Potato
Investigating the Difference in Isotonic Point in Sweet and White Potato
Research Aim:
To observe whether equal sized white potato or sweet potato cores reached the isotonic point in the same concentration of sucrose solution.
Introduction:
Osmosis is diffusion of water from areas of high water potential to areas of low water potential. It does not require an input of energy. Plants use osmosis to transport minerals from their roots to their leaves, and to take in water in the soil. Because the plant cell is taking in water and minerals, its mass increases. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources states that “plants use water to carry moisture and nutrients from the roots to he leaves and food from the leaves back down to the roots.” (http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/education/needs.html)
An isotonic point is the moment when the solutions inside the cell and outside the cell have the same water potential since the two have an equal concentration of water molecules. This is when the rate of water leaving the cell is the same as the rate of water entering the cell. Therefore, equilibrium is reached. This means that the plant cell will not increase any more in mass, as there will be no net movement of water.
In my experiment, I will be using two different types of potato – the sweet potato and the white potato. I think that it will be interesting to see whether the Sweet Potato is actually sweeter than the White potato (as the name suggests). The sugar content in sweet potatoes is 4.2 grams for every 100 grams you ingest. The sugar content for white potatoes is also 4.2 grams (per 100g).
Hypothesis:
The isotonic point of sweet potato will be at a higher sucrose concentration than white potato because I think that it actually does contain more sugar than white potato.
Null Hypothesis: There will be no difference in the isotonic points.
Method:
Equipment * Sweet potatoes * White potatoes * White tile for cutting on * 5 Stop Watches, each set
Research Aim:
To observe whether equal sized white potato or sweet potato cores reached the isotonic point in the same concentration of sucrose solution.
Introduction:
Osmosis is diffusion of water from areas of high water potential to areas of low water potential. It does not require an input of energy. Plants use osmosis to transport minerals from their roots to their leaves, and to take in water in the soil. Because the plant cell is taking in water and minerals, its mass increases. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources states that “plants use water to carry moisture and nutrients from the roots to he leaves and food from the leaves back down to the roots.” (http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/education/needs.html)
An isotonic point is the moment when the solutions inside the cell and outside the cell have the same water potential since the two have an equal concentration of water molecules. This is when the rate of water leaving the cell is the same as the rate of water entering the cell. Therefore, equilibrium is reached. This means that the plant cell will not increase any more in mass, as there will be no net movement of water.
In my experiment, I will be using two different types of potato – the sweet potato and the white potato. I think that it will be interesting to see whether the Sweet Potato is actually sweeter than the White potato (as the name suggests). The sugar content in sweet potatoes is 4.2 grams for every 100 grams you ingest. The sugar content for white potatoes is also 4.2 grams (per 100g).
Hypothesis:
The isotonic point of sweet potato will be at a higher sucrose concentration than white potato because I think that it actually does contain more sugar than white potato.
Null Hypothesis: There will be no difference in the isotonic points.
Method:
Equipment * Sweet potatoes * White potatoes * White tile for cutting on * 5 Stop Watches, each set