theodoresauyet.docVIP

Theodore Sauyet Due October 6th, 2010 Period 1 Mrs. Spinelli Ben The Effects of Saltwater on Potato Cells I. Problem: How does Saltwater affect the size of potato cells? II. Background Information: This experiment will determine what happens to potato cores when placed in saltwater versus regular water. It is known that potatoes are soaked in saltwater prior to making potato chips for a crunchier chip, this means that potatoes will shrink in saltwater. Also, when rotten potatoes are placed in water they expand, so regular water will make them expand. Plus, this experiment has been done before will the results of potatoes expanding in freshwater and shrinking in saltwater (/~renkwitz/potato_core_lab_model.htm , /essay/osmosis-lab-report ). III. Hypothesis: If potatoes are placed in saltwater, then it will grow because water will be drawn into the cells to balance the water levels inside and outside of the cells. IV. Variables: Independent-The saltwater Dependent-The size of the cells V. Materials: Potatoes, ruler, test tubes, test tube rack, foil, china marker, cork borer, paper, triple beam balance, water, saltwater, knife, weighing cup. VI. Procedure: Day 1: Using a china marker, label the test tubes with period, initials, water and saltwater. Label one paper water and the other saltwater. Using a cork borer, cut two pieces of potato into 40mm cores (cylinders). Make sure no skin is present on the potatoes Place one potato n the water paper and the other on the saltwater paper. Keep the cores separate and identified. Record the height of each core on your data table Using the ruler, measure the diameter of the cores in mm. Record on data table. Measure the mass of each core using a triple beam balance. Record mass in grams on data table Do not place the potato directly on the balance. Calculate the volume of each core using the cylinder equation.. record volume in c,centimeters cubed Calculate the density of each core. Use the data from your ta