Free Biology, Chemistry and Physics workbooks: notes, quick checks and exam-style practice. Get them free

Edexcel IGCSE Biology · Spec 2.17

Osmosis Practical

Required practical: investigating osmosis in potato tissue and calculating the percentage change in mass.

Biology revision video

Osmosis Practical

Spec 2.17

What you need to know

  • Investigate osmosis using potato tissue
  • Describe the method and the measurements
  • Explain the results

Active recall

Quick check

Answer each question before opening the answer.

What happens to potato mass in a dilute solution and in a concentrated solution?

In dilute solution water moves in, so mass increases. In concentrated solution water moves out, so mass decreases.

What does the point of zero mass change tell you?

The external solution concentration equals the concentration inside the potato cells (isotonic).

Biology video companion

Keep your notes and exam practice together

The free Biology workbook follows every video in specification order.