Students use slices of potatoes to investigate Osmosis: the movement of water into and out of the cells of the potato. This lab focuses on making careful observations and collecting data such as weight and length. Students use a control to study changes caused during the experiment . 

Concepts Addressed
• Osmosis is the movement of water through a semipermeable membrane from a less concentrated solution to a higher one.
• Not every substance can cross a partially permeable membrane.
• When there is net flow of water into or out of a cell, its turgor pressure changes.
• Water and other substances, get into and out of cells through osmosis and diffusion.

Materials Needed
Potatoes, Knife, Salt, Cups or small dishes, Water, spoon or stirrer, Scale, Iodine (optional)

Time Required
This lab takes about 30 mins, but with extensions can take longer.

Student Sheets
• Scaffolded writing prompts & lab reporting 

Answer Keys and Teacher Notes address most questions and issues that might arise in this study—you shouldn’t have to do any outside research unless you want to.

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