Osmosis is a type of diffusion that occurs in all living things.
It involves the movement of liquids, particularly water, to create a balance of minerals or nutrition.
This process occurs through semipermeable membranes.
Semipermeable Membranes
A semipermeable membrane is like a skin on a cell that selectively allows certain molecules to pass.
In the context of osmosis, it allows water to pass through while restricting other molecules.
Experiment Details
The experiment compares two glasses: one with salt water and another with normal water.
The differences in results illustrate the effects of osmosis:
Potato in Salt Water:
Becomes flexible and soft (flaccid).
Salt water attracts water from the potato cells, leading to a loss of water.
Resulting in weakened structure due to water loss.
Brown discoloration occurs due to enzyme release when cells are damaged.
The enzyme involved is catechol oxidase, which reacts with oxygen, causing browning.
Potato in Normal Water:
Becomes turgid (crisp and hard).
Higher concentration of water outside the potato leads to water moving into the potato cells via diffusion.
The potato retains its structure and does not become flexible due to sufficient water.
Key Concepts
Diffusion: The process where molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until evenly spread.
In osmosis, water moves from an area of higher concentration outside the cell to lower concentration inside the cell.
Conclusion: Osmosis is essential for the maintenance of cell structure and function, allowing cells to achieve homeostasis through the movement of water.