Two potato cubes each $1 c m^{3}$ in size, were placed separately in two containers (A & B), the container (A) having water and the other (B) containing concentrated sugar solution. After $24$ hours when the cubes were examined, those placed in water were found to be firm and had increased slightly in size and those placed in concentrated sugar solution were found to be soft and had some what decreased in size.
Account for the firmness and increase in the size of the potato cubes placed in water.

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Solution

In this condition, the solution outside the cell has a lower solute concentration than the fluids inside the cell. As a result, the water molecules from outside will move into the cell (endosmosis). This causes the firmness and increases in the size of the potato cubes when placed in water.

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(a) Account for the firmness and increase in the size of the potato cubes placed in water.

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