GCSE Science/Osmosis in potato slices coursework

Osmosis is a type of diffusion involving water molecules and a semi-permeable membrane. They move from areas of "high water concentration", such as dilute solutions of say, sugar, to areas of "low water concentration", such as concentrated solutions of sugar, until there is an equal concentration of water molecules on both sides. There are three types of solution (and, thus, osmosis):

• Isotonic

Water concentration outside the cell is equal to concentration inside the cell. Water still passes through the cell membrane, but the net movement is 0.

• Hypotonic

Water concentration outside the cell is greater than concentration inside the cell. Water passes into the cell.

• Hypertonic

Water concentration inside the cell is greater than concentration outside the cell. Water leaves the cell.