How can we determine the osmolarity

Reference no: EM133215084

In these scenarios, we focus just on molecules. How does this apply to living tissue? The answer is that it works the same. Living tissues have an inherent saltiness - we call this the tissue's osmolarity. If the tissue is saltier (hypertonic) to the solution we place it in, the tissue will take up water from its environment. Conversely, if the tissue is less salty (hypotonic) than the solution we place it in, water will leave the tissue in an attempt to dilute the surrounding solution. If the saltiness of the tissue is equal to the solution (they are isotonic), the amounts of water moving in and out of the tissue will be the same. Although osmolarity can be calculated (using some very scary math), we are going to use experimentation to figure out the osmolarity of a vegetable!

Exercise

For this lab, we are going to use an osmosis experiment to determine the osmolarity of a vegetable. To start, let's think about how the vegetable will change in various solutions.

Question 1. Let's say we place a slice of vegetable in a very salty solution - the solution is hypertonic to the vegetable.

Will the main direction of water movement into the vegetable, out of the vegetable, or equal in both directions?

Will the mass of the vegetable slice change? If so, will it gain or lose mass?

Question 2. Let's say we place a slice of vegetable in pure water - the solution is hypotonic to the vegetable.

Will the main direction of water movement into the vegetable, out of the vegetable, or equal in both directions?

Will the mass of the vegetable slice change? If so, will it gain or lose mass?

Question 3. Let's say we place a slice of vegetable in a solution with the same amount of salt as the vegetable - the solution is isotonic with the vegetable.

Will the main direction of water movement into the vegetable, out of the vegetable, or equal in both directions?

Will the mass of the vegetable slice change? If so, will it gain or lose mass?

Question 4. If the vegetable gains mass, compare the saltiness of the vegetable tissue to that of the solution it is in.

If the vegetable loses mass, compare the saltiness of the vegetable tissue to that of the solution it is in.

If the vegetable does not change in mass, compare the saltiness of the vegetable tissue to that of the solution it is in.

How can we determine the osmolarity of the vegetable tissue?

Reference no: EM133215084

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