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 softness and decrease in the size of the potato cubes which were placed in sugar solution.

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Solution

In this condition, the solution outside the cell has a higher solute concentration than the fluids inside the cell. Consequently, the water molecules from the interior of the cell will move out (exosmosis). This causes the softness and decrease in size of the potato cubes when placed in sugar solution.

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