What happens to a potato in osmosis?

Question

one is in fresh water.. one is in salt water.. i have the results.. but struggling w/ my conclusion..

wat happens 2 the potato molecules && y is the salt one shink && the fresh one fatten?

Answer 1

For the record osmosis is a very special type of passive diffusion applicable only for the movement of water. In biology osmosis is define as the downhill movement of water across a concentration gradient (movement from area of higher concentration to area of lower con'c).

Using the above definition we can explain the shrinkage of the potato when submerged in salt solution as simply a process f osmosis. Consider that the concentration of water in the solution is lesser due to the fact that there are salt molecules present. If this is the case then the water would be attracted to flow outside of the potato. On the other hand the one that was introduced into the tap water swell, because the water flowed inside the potato.

Hope this helps...