Question

Given reasons: Potato cubes when placed in water become firm and increase in size.

Answer 1

Osmosis:

1. Osmosis is the passive diffusion that happens through a semi-permeable membrane.
2. Water molecules move from an area of their higher concentration to an area of lower concentration through a semi-permeable membrane by osmosis.
3. The turgidity of cells is maintained through osmosis.

Types of Osmosis:

1. Endosmosis - When a cell is immersed in a hypotonic solution, the water inside the cell flows around and swells.
2. Exosmosis - When a cell is immersed in a hypertonic solution, the water in the cell flows out, and the cell becomes flaccid.

Reasons for potato cubes become firm and increase in size when placed in water

1. The concentration of cell sap inside the potato cell is higher than in the surrounding water. As a result, endosmosis occurs.
2. Due to endosmosis, the water molecules (solvent) transfer from a lower concentration to a higher concentration of the solute, resulting in the cell becoming firm.
3. They become turgid when water flows through the cell, and the cubes firm up and increase in size.