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In an experiment, a student cut some potatoes into small, evenly-shaped pieces - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 5 - 2015
Question 5
In an experiment, a student cut some potatoes into small, evenly-shaped pieces. She divided them into groups of 10, weighed each group and placed them in sucrose so... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In an experiment, a student cut some potatoes into small, evenly-shaped pieces - Leaving Cert Biology - Question 5 - 2015
Step 1
Step 2
Explain in detail why the pieces in solutions D to F lost mass.
Answer
The potato pieces in solutions D to F lost mass due to osmosis. In these solutions, the concentration of sucrose was higher than that inside the potato cells. As a result, water molecules moved out of the potato cells to the surrounding solution in an attempt to balance the concentration gradient. This loss of water led to a decrease in mass.
Step 3
Give one example of the use of the mechanism(s) described in (b) in food preservation.
Answer
One example of this mechanism in food preservation is salting or curing meat or fish. By applying salt, the high osmotic concentration causes water to be drawn out of the meat or fish, inhibiting microbial growth and prolonging the shelf life of the food.
Step 4
Explain how plant cells remain turgid.
Answer
Plant cells remain turgid through the uptake of water into the vacuole or cytoplasm. As water enters the cell, it presses against the cell wall, creating turgor pressure. This pressure is essential for maintaining the cell's structural integrity and preventing it from wilting or collapsing.