Effect of osmosis and sugar concentration on the mass of plant tissue: analysis
I can interpret a graph showing the effect of sugar concentration on the mass of potato tissue, and explain the results.
Effect of osmosis and sugar concentration on the mass of plant tissue: analysis
I can interpret a graph showing the effect of sugar concentration on the mass of potato tissue, and explain the results.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Plotting and interpretation of a graph showing the effect of sugar concentration on the mass of potato tissue.
- Increase in potato mass means water moved in by osmosis (because the sugar solution was more dilute outside).
- Decrease in potato mass means water moved out by osmosis (because the sugar solution was more concentrated outside).
- The concentration of sugar in the potato tissue can be determined from the point at which there was no change in mass.
- At this point the sugar concentration was equal inside and out, so there was no net movement of water.
Keywords
Osmosis - the net movement of water molecules through a selectively-permeable membrane from a dilute solution to a concentrated one
Net movement - the overall movement of particles
Random error - causes results to differ by different amounts due to a factor other than the independent variable (the factor we changed)
Concentration gradient - a difference in the concentration of particles from one area to another
Common misconception
Mistakes around calculating change in percentage mass are common, as are misunderstandings around why changes in mass occur.
The calculations for percentage mass are introduced and walked through with an 'I-do, we-do, you-do' model. There are plenty of calculations to practice on. Why mass changes occur is also covered in detail and with supporting diagrams.
To help you plan your year 11 biology lesson on: Effect of osmosis and sugar concentration on the mass of plant tissue: analysis, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 biology lesson on: Effect of osmosis and sugar concentration on the mass of plant tissue: analysis, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 biology lessons from the Coordination and control: maintaining a constant internal environment unit, dive into the full secondary biology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
graph paper, rulers, pencils, calculators
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions

independent variable -
concentration of sugar solution
dependent variable -
mass and length of potato chips
control variable -
temperature of the solutions






Exit quiz
6 Questions



net movement into potato chip cells -
when the line is above the x-axis
net movement out of potato chip cells -
when the line is below the x-axis
no net movement -
when the line crosses the x-axis
