Find out what affect the change of concentration in the sucrose solution :: GCSE Biology A2 A-Level Coursework

Find out what affect the change of concentration in the sucrose solution has on the mass of a potato chip. Introduction In this experiment I will be taking five similar potato chips and putting them into different sucrose solutions (each one with a different concentration) and observing the effect that each concentration has on the size of the potato chip. Aim I am doing this investigation in an endeavour to find out what affect the change of concentration in the sucrose solution has on the mass of a potato chip. Background information Ø Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a partially permeable membrane from an area with high concentration to an area with low concentration Ø The opposite of osmosis is active uptake, this is when water moves from an area with a low concentration to an area with low concentration. An example of this would be a root hair cell getting water from its surroundings. Ø Partially permeable membranes have holes in them. These holes are the size of just one water molecule. Ø Water can pass through the membrane in both directions although if there is a higher concentration of water in the solution rather than the potato chip, the potato chip will receive water molecules and will increase in size. Ø Some membranes in plant and animal cells allow only certain particles to pass through them. They are partially (or selectively) permeable. Prediction I predict that as the concentration of the sucrose solution decreases the mass of the potato chip will increase. I think this because a lower sucrose content would mean a higher water content and therefor as osmosis takes place the water in the solution will move from the solution to the potato chip and as a result increasing the mass of the potato chip. I also predict that the concentration of the solution and the mass of the potato chip will be directly proportional to each other. Variables In this investigation I will change the concentration of the solution and I will be keeping the size of the potato and the temperature of the solution the same. Equipment Below is the apparatus that I will be using for my investigation. Ø Stop watch Ø Cutting tile Ø Small knife Ø Measuring cylinder Ø Distilled water Ø sucrose Ø Potatoes Ø Weighing scale Ø Potato cutter Ø Cling film Ø Ruler Method Ø Firstly I will cut five pieces of potato. Ø Then I will peal the potatoes with the knife. Ø After this I will measure and weigh them to ensure that they are equal. Ø Subsequently I will put 40ml of my solution in each of the testubes. Test tube one will have 10ml of distilled water and 30ml of sucrose.