Describe an experiment to demonstrate osmosis

Here's an experiment to demonstrate osmosis: Materials: A potato tuber A sharp knife A beaker or Petri dish Concentrated salt solution Distilled water A spatula or spoon Procedure: 1. Step 1: Cut the potato tuber into two halves. Scoop out a hollow cavity in the centre of each half using a spatula, creating a potato cup. Be careful not to pierce through the skin at the bottom. 2. Step 2: Place one potato cup in a beaker containing distilled water. 3. Step 3: Place the other potato cup in a beaker containing concentrated salt solution. 4. Step 4: Leave both setups undisturbed for about 1-2 hours. Observation: In the potato cup placed in distilled water, you will observe that the water level inside the cavity has increased*. In the potato cup placed in concentrated salt solution, you will observe that the water level inside the cavity has decreased*, and the potato tissue might appear flaccid. Explanation: Osmosis is the net movement of water molecules from a region of higher water concentration (less solute) to a region of lower water concentration (more solute) across a selectively permeable membrane*. The potato cell membranes act as selectively permeable membranes. In distilled water (high water concentration), water moves into* the potato cells and the cavity, causing the level to rise. In the concentrated salt solution (low water concentration), water moves out of* the potato cells and the cavity into the surrounding solution, causing the level to fall and the potato to become flaccid. Last free one today — make it count tomorrow, or type /upgrade for unlimited.