1.3 Transport in cells

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Question 9
Medium

An investigator researched the effect of varying concentrations of glucose solution on the mass of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) cylinders.

The following procedure was used:

  1. Cut 5 sweet potato cylinders of equal length and record the initial mass of each.
  2. Immerse each cylinder in a separate boiling tube containing 40 cm3 of glucose solution of a different concentration (from 0.0 mol dm-3 to 0.8 mol dm-3).
  3. Leave the cylinders for 3 hours, then remove them, carefully blot them dry with filter paper to remove excess surface liquid, and record their final mass.

The table below displays the results of the investigation:

Concentration of glucose solution (mol dm−3\text{mol dm}^{-3}mol dm−3)Initial mass of cylinder (g\text{g}g)Final mass of cylinder (g\text{g}g)
0.0 (distilled water)3.203.68
0.23.503.71
0.43.403.40
0.63.603.24
0.83.002.55
a.

Calculate the percentage change in mass of the sweet potato cylinder placed in the 0.6 mol dm-3 glucose solution. Show your working.

[2]
b.

Explain, in terms of water potential and osmosis, why the sweet potato cylinder in distilled water (0.0 mol dm-3) gained mass, whereas the cylinder in 0.6 mol dm-3 glucose solution lost mass.

[4]

1.3 Transport in cells Questions

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  3. /1.3 Transport in cells