Effect of osmosis and sugar concentration on the mass of plant tissue: practical
I can carry out an investigation into the effect of sugar solution concentration on the mass of fresh potato tissue.
Effect of osmosis and sugar concentration on the mass of plant tissue: practical
I can carry out an investigation into the effect of sugar solution concentration on the mass of fresh potato tissue.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Water diffuses into and out of cells by osmosis; net movement is from a more dilute solution to a more concentrated one.
- Investigating the effect of sucrose solution concentration on the mass of potato chips.
- Use of appropriate apparatus to measure volumes, masses and times accurately.
- Safe use of materials and apparatus.
- Control of variables that might affect the results (e.g. temperature).
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
Mass - a measure of how much matter something contains, in grams
Control - a variable which is kept constant between all experiments
Common misconception
Coordinating the measurements and the sugar solution in this practical is fiddly and if not done methodically, the results can be easily confused.
The table in which results will be recorded is clearly labelled and used, and a copy is provided in the worksheet.
To help you plan your year 11 combined science lesson on: Effect of osmosis and sugar concentration on the mass of plant tissue: practical, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 combined science lesson on: Effect of osmosis and sugar concentration on the mass of plant tissue: practical, 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 combined science lessons from the Coordination and control: maintaining a constant internal environment unit, dive into the full secondary combined science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
fresh potato, test tubes, sharp knife or borer, cutting tile, ruler, balance, filter paper, sugar solutions (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1 M), distilled water, water bath, test tube racks, timer
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions





Exit quiz
6 Questions


