Compare7 marksChallenge
A student conducted an investigation using samples of potato tissue (plant cells) and mammalian red blood cells (animal cells). She placed each sample into a beaker containing a sucrose solution of unknown concentration. After 30 minutes, she observed that the potato tissue had gained mass, while the red blood cells had lysed (burst). In a separate experiment, she placed potato tissue into pure water and observed that it gained more mass than in the sucrose solution, but did not burst.
Compare the responses of plant and animal cells when placed in solutions of different water potentials. In your answer, explain the reasons for the differences observed, with reference to the properties of the cells and the process of osmosis.