AP Biology Students Explore Osmosis/Diffusion/Water Potential

In their study of membranes, osmosis, diffusion and water potential the AP Biology class carried out a number of different investigations. In this extension.open ended investigations, the various teams of students chose to investigate how solutions of differing molarity affected different plant cells (in the guise of different fruits and vegetables. In the baseline protocol the students used potato cores to determine the molarity of each of the different colored solutions. By monitoring the change of mass in the potato cores they were able to accomplish that identification and determine the water potential of the potato cells in the cores.

Jeanne, Freddie, Audrey, Christina and Kaitlin form an awesome team, even if they forget to return the stock solutions in the gallon containers back to the equipment/supply table.

Samuel gives Michael a thumbs up for a job well done.

John watches suspiciously as Maddie pour the blue solution over their cores. Jason must be engrossed in reviewing the protocol they are following.

Rachael and Emily are all smiles, while Liv satisfies her hunger pangs by consuming an extra apple.