A piece of fresh Irish potato cylinder measuring 50 mm in length is placed in a concentrated sucrose solution for 4 hours. What observable change occurs in the potato cylinder?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. it decreases in length and becomes flaccid due to exosmosis of water
- Step 1: Concentrated sucrose solution is hypertonic relative to the potato cell sap. Step 2. Water moves out of the potato cells into the surrounding solution by osmosis (exosmosis). Step 3. Loss of turgor pressure causes cells to shrink, reducing cylinder length and making it limp (flaccid). Answer: it decreases in length and becomes flaccid due to exosmosis of water. Why not the others: Turgidity occurs in hypotonic water; dimensions change; potato tissue does not dissolve.
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