Question

d) A thin strip of raw potato can be thought of as a collection of cells that are enclosed by a semi-permeable membrane. The fluid in each cell contains a little dissolved salt. For the sake of discussion, let’s say that the semi-permeable membrane lets water through, but not the dissolved salt. Predict what would happen to the length of a strip of potato (and explain the reason for your prediction) if it were soaked in: 1. tap water 2. a strong salt water solution

Answer 1

Osmosis is the reason.

Flow of solvent molecule from lower concentration to higher concentration through semipermeable membrane is called osmosis.

1. Since fluid cell contains a little dissolved salt, when potato strip is soaked in tap water, water molecule will entered into fluid through osmosis and length of the strip increases.

2. When potato strip is soaked in strong salt water solution, the solvent from fluid wiill entered into salt water solution and the length of potato strip decreases.