A Study On The Response of Different Potato Cell

Types to Varying Sugar Concentrations

Candidate Name:
Exploration

Research Question: How do different types of potato cells respond to varying concentrations
of sugar?

1. Introduction

My family's agricultural heritage in Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, centered on the

cultivation of diverse vegetables, with a particular emphasis on potatoes, during my
upbringing as a half-Filipino. Within the rural environment of my place of residence, my
family conscientiously worked towards guaranteeing the thriving development of our potato
harvests. They exhibited an elevated level of awareness concerning the environmental factors
that exerted an impact on our potato cultivation. Water availability and solute concentrations
interacted to regulate the growth and size of the organisms. The direct observation pertained
to the beneficial effects that can be derived from ensuring optimal solute concentrations for
potato growth and development. Agriculture connections and my family's commitment to
maintaining optimal salt concentrations for potato cultivation motivate me to acquire a deeper
understanding of these variables. The agricultural methods utilized by my family have
inspired me to investigate the correlation between solute concentrations, water availability,
and crop development. (Science concept behind these needed to be added.)

2. Investigation
2.1 Hypothesis
H1: Potato cells subjected to high sugar concentrations will exhibit a notable decrease in size
compared to those exposed to low sugar concentrations.
H0: The size of different potato cells remains unchanged when exposed to liquids with
varying concentrations of sugar.

2.2: Background Knowledge

Compared to the cells of other plants, potato cells have a significantly higher starch content.
Starch, a complex carbohydrate, surpasses sugar in complexity and functions as an energy-
storing molecule. When potato cells are immersed in a solution with different salt
concentrations, alterations in the size of the potato cells can be witnessed due to the osmosis
process, wherein water moves across the cells. Osmosis is a fascinating phenomenon where
water gracefully migrates from lower solute concentration areas to higher solute
concentration regions. The hydrodynamic flow occurs as water transitions between adjacent
regions. Potato cells exhibit shrinkage or expansion in response to the osmotic gradient,
contingent upon the salt concentration within the solution. If salt concentrations are elevated,
cells undergo a process of diminishment as they relinquish water through the mechanism of
osmosis. Conversely, cells dwelling in lower salt concentrations experience a phenomenon of
expansion as they embrace the influx of water. This phenomenon arises due to the endeavor
to equilibrate the solute concentration on both sides of the membrane.

The investigation of potato cells is of great significance in plant biology due to the potato's
widespread use as a primary food source worldwide. To ensure the validity and reliability of
experimental results, conducting research utilizing potato cells requires careful attention to
control factors necessary for the process. This article explains the critical components of
controlled variables in potato cell investigations, illuminating why they must be controlled
and how this may be accomplished.

Like all plant cells, potato cells have a semipermeable membrane that allows water molecules
to flow through but restricts the movement of more giant solute molecules like starch. This
characteristic is universally present across all cellular structures of plants. When potatoes are
subjected to a hypertonic solution with a higher salt concentration than the typical
environment, the potato cells undergo water loss, reducing cell size. Conversely, when the
cells are subjected to a hypotonic solution with a decreased salt concentration, they
experience increased water absorption, resulting in cellular swelling. Water transportation is
crucial in maintaining the equilibrium of solute concentrations across the cell membrane,
contributing to the homeostatic process.

2.3 Variables

The Mitotic Index is as follows: I have computed and determined the Mitotic Index for your
reference. The calculation will determine the proportion of cells currently undergoing active
division and situated in various cell cycle phases. Microscopic analysis shall be employed to
ascertain the veracity of this index, serving as a pivotal gauge for the cellular division's
activity level.

The potato tubers obtained will all be of the same variety and size. Aseptic procedures will be
carried out to get tissue samples suitable for the investigation. The potato tissue samples will
be cultivated in Petri dishes with agar augmented with a nutrient solution in varied amounts.
Each concentration will have several iterations performed on it.

The samples will be kept in a carefully regulated environment that maintains a steady
temperature and degree of humidity throughout. A light source that has been standardized
will provide light of consistent intensity. The mitotic index will be established by evaluating
microscopic slides of dyed potato root tip cells. This process will take place over the course
of several days and will involve measuring the growth of potato cells with extremely accurate
callipers.

A statistical analysis will be carried out to determine whether there are any noteworthy
variations in growth rates and mitotic indices as a function of the various nutritional solution
concentrations.

This methodology ensures a complete examination of this variable's impact on potato cell
development and division by controlling environmental variables and methodically altering
the concentration of the nutrient solution. This method improves the data's reliability and
validity, which contributes to a comprehensive understanding of potato cells' activity under
various nutritional situations.

Table 1: List of Variables for Experimental Design

VARIABLES
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE The concentration of the sugar solution
Descriptive Statement The concentration of the sugar solution will be varied to
observe its effect on potato cell osmosis.
DEPENDENT VARIABLE Change in Potato Cell Mass
 Descriptive Statement The change in mass of potato cells will be measured to
determine the extent of water movement due to osmosis.

Table 2: Controlled Variable for the experimental design.

Controlled Why it’s important to control How this experiment will

Variables control or monitor the
variable

Temperature The experiment will maintain a consistent A temperature-regulated enclosure

temperature throughout to ensure that it or incubator shall be necessary to
does not influence the behaviour of the attain the desired degree of
cells. temperature regulation. This
apparatus ensures the maintenance
The necessity for something to be under of a constant temperature within the
control arises from the imperative of established range, thereby
maintaining order and ensuring stability. mitigating any undesirable
fluctuations that may compromise
Temperature plays a crucial role in the experiment's validity.
governing an extensive range of
physiological and biochemical processes
occurring within plant cells, encompassing
those within potato cells. Temperature
fluctuations can induce alterations in
enzyme activity, membrane fluidity, and
overall cellular metabolism. Introducing
non-constant temperatures can induce
variability in cell reactions, thereby
obscuring the genuine impacts of
experimental treatments.

Maintaining a consistent temperature

throughout the experiment is crucial for
obtaining dependable conclusions
regarding the impact of specific factors on
potato cell cultures.

Light Level Ensuring a uniform light source guarantees

consistent illumination levels for all A standardised light source, like
experimental groups. fluorescent or LED lights, shall
regulate the emitted light quantity.
The necessity for something to be under
control arises from the imperative of
maintaining order and ensuring optimal
functioning within a given system or
 context.
The presence of light greatly influences
photosynthesis, a vital cellular process in
plants, including potatoes.

Fluctuations in light intensity may induce

alterations in photosynthetic rhythm,
potentially impacting cellular energy
production and metabolite synthesis.
Managing light intensity is of utmost
importance as it ensures the accurate
assessment of variables under examination.

Inconsistent lighting conditions have the

potential to obscure the genuine impact of
these variables, thus emphasizing the
necessity of maintaining control over the
lighting environment.

The control measures in place will ensure

the maintenance of order and regulation.

Humidity Consistent humidity levels shall be upheld A humidity chamber or a controlled

to minimise potential adverse effects on environment chamber will be
cell proliferation. utilised to achieve the desired
humidity control. Because these
The turgidity and moisture levels of plant chambers allow for the change and
cells can be maintained to a certain degree maintenance of certain humidity
with the help of humidity. Changes in levels, a consistent environment can
humidity can cause shifts in water intake be created for the potato cells to
and output, affecting the structure and thrive in. Hygrometers will be used
function of cells. The results of an to maintain a consistent level of
experiment can be thrown off by inaccurate humidity monitoring and to ensure
measurements of the humidity since this that any necessary modifications are
introduces variables that are irrelevant to made to prevent deviations.
the cellular hydration status.
To get insights into how potato cells
behave, precise control over the
variables is absolutely necessary. To
guarantee that the results of an
experiment truly reflect the
influence that modified elements
have on potato cells, it is necessary
to keep certain variables, such as
temperature, light intensity, and
humidity, under control. In the field
of potato cell research, the
 employment of specialised tools and
consistent monitoring ensures the
formation of a controlled
environment that reduces the
influence of extraneous variables,
leading to results that are
dependable and useful.

Nutrient To examine the impact of concentration in

Solution a controlled setting, the composition of the
Composition nutrient solution shall remain constant,

Table 3: Uncontrolled Variable for the experimental design

UNCONTROLLED VARIABLE:

Uncontrolled Variable: Temperature Fluctuations

Reathis must be controlled: Temperature fluctuations can significantly affect the growth and
development of potato cells. Potatoes are sensitive to temperature changes, and variations in
temperature can lead to variations in cell growth rates, enzymatic activities, and metabolic
processes. If the temperature is not controlled, it could introduce a confounding factor that
might impact the experimental results, making it difficult to accurately assess the effects of
other variables.

How this will be controlled:

Temperature control measures will be implemented throughout the experiment to ensure
accurate and reliable results. A controlled environment chamber will be used to maintain a
consistent temperature throughout the study. The chamber will be set to the desired
temperature range for potato cell growth and experimentation. Temperature sensors will be
strategically placed within the chamber to continuously monitor and regulate the temperature.
Any deviations from the set temperature will trigger an automated feedback mechanism that
adjusts the environmental conditions to bring the temperature back within the desired range.
This approach will minimize the impact of temperature fluctuations on the potato cells and
help ensure that the experimental outcomes are primarily influenced by the intended variables
under investigation..

2.4: Preliminary Experiment

Explain

3: Procedure

3.1: Apparatus
 1. 5 Different types of potatoes: Sweet Potatoes, Russet Potatoes, Purple Potatoes, White
Potatoes, Red Potatoes
2. Small knife.
3. 30m Ruler.
4. Test tube rack.
5. Test tubes.
6. Concentrated solutions.
7. Measuring cylinder.
8. Water.
9. Balance scales.
10. Cork borer

3.2: Methodology
1. Acquire pristine potato slices of 5 types of potatoes with consistent thickness throughout.
2. Generate diverse solutions, spanning from those exhibiting a diminished sugar
concentration to those showcasing an elevated sugar concentration. 0, 2,4,6,8 10g
3. Soak potato slices for a predetermined time in each salt solution.
3. Leave them for 5 hours
4. After the potato slices have been immersed, measure and note any changes in weight.
5. Determine the percentage of change in size for each salt concentration using a calculator.

3.3: Justification of the methodical approach

The approach selected for the investigation of potato cells attempts to provide an all-
encompassing response to the research question while considering all relevant elements that
can influence the acquired data's importance, reliability, and appropriateness. The approach
must be developed to ensure accuracy when investigating the fundamental components of
potato cell behaviour and characteristics under various environmental situations.

To get started on the research, a controlled environment is going to be created, and every
effort will be made to keep the variables as uniform as possible. Due to the utilisation of
uniform potatoes in terms of type and size, genetic and structural variations will be
minimised significantly. To ensure the prevention of contamination during the sample
preparation process, an aseptic approach shall be employed.

Put 15 mL of starch solution into a test tube. The recommended amount of enzyme is 5 mL.
Warm water should be poured into both tubes.

First, using a 20 cm3 syringe, carefully transfer 15 ml of the starch solution into the boiling
tube. Correctly identifying the contents of the tube can help avoid confusion. Label a new
boiling tube and add 5 ml of the amylase solution using a 5 cm3 syringe. Put the two
designated tubes into the heated water in the beaker and take the temperature with the
thermometer. Make sure the water is 30 degrees Celsius, and do whatever has to be done to
keep it that way throughout the experiment.
 Precision Accuracy Reliability

Because it is properly When using a measuring To achieve

calibrated, using a 10 cm3 cylinder, reading the bottom dependability, readings
measuring cylinder instead meniscus for colorless liquid must be taken
of a syringe or a 250 cm3 and the upper meniscus for consistently and similar
measuring cylinder, for colored liquid, for example, trends must be seen in
example, can limit the can assist ensure accuracy. each experiment. This
chance of error (Marshall & Furthermore, it is necessary to will help generate
Holmes, 1990) and a remove trapped air bubbles reproducible data,
measuring cylinder is better while using a syringe to assure which is necessary for
calibrated than a syringe precision (Marshall & Holmes, drawing valid
1990). conclusions (Marshall
& Holmes, 1990).

Table 7: Understanding precision, accuracy & reliability.

Table 8: Understanding sufficient and relevant

Ensuring that the independent variable (IV) exhibits a minimum of five increments is of
utmost importance, as indicated by the provided data. This is necessary in order to gather an
adequate quantity of data points for the purpose of conducting statistical analysis. In addition,
it is imperative to ensure an adequate number of replications for each data point, with a
minimum need of five trials. However, depending on the specific research topic under
investigation, certain statistical analyses may require a larger number of trials.
The size of the sample is an important component to take into account, with a preference for a
large sample size above 30. Small sample sizes ranging from 15 to 30 may also be deemed
suitable, while exceptionally small sample sizes of 5 to 15 may be utilised in exceptional
circumstances. Nevertheless, the efficacy of statistical tests may be compromised in cases
where the sample size is insufficient.

The alterations in the independent variable must be pertinent to the study inquiry under
consideration. When assessing the impact of temperature on enzyme activity, it is
recommended to utilise a sufficiently broad range of temperatures in order to observe a bell-
shaped curve. In a similar vein, it is imperative to utilise a practical spectrum of
concentrations when assessing the impact of pollutants on the growth of plants.
The selection of the dependent variable (DV) should be pertinent to the study topic under
investigation. The selection process should be conducted with great consideration to ensure
that the chosen data can effectively address the research topic and yield meaningful results
that can be analysed using appropriate statistical methods.
3.4: Risk Assessment

Safety Issues:

Ethical Issues:

Environmental Issue:

Evidence of a risk assessment must be demonstrated in the report.

Refer to CLEAPSS: http://science.cleapss.org.uk/Resources/Student-Safety-Sheets/

· Identify potential areas where safety is an issue. (Some investigations may not have
any issues – state this explicitly).

· Indicate how the issue is avoided.

· Microbiology experiments should follow IB experimentation guidelines.

· Appreciation of the safe handling of chemicals or equipment (use of protective

clothing / eye protection).

· Consideration of basic hygiene.

· Reasonable consumption of materials.

· Use of consent forms in human physiology experiment.

· Correct disposal of waste.

· Attempts to minimize the impact of the investigation on field sites.

4: Raw Data
Raw Data Table 1: A table showing how the mass of Sweet Potatoe
varies over 5 hours with different levels of sugar concentration

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/
1ppJX_bQtRDRBgo2qLMhtwSCCZlhaHdLTxHVCu2Ur568/edit#gid=0

5: Processed Data
ANALYSIS OF THE DATA:
Carry out statistical analysis to establish whether or not the noted shifts in cell size represent
a statistically significant change. Depending on the complexity of the investigation, it may
involve performing pertinent tests, such as t-tests or an analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Through the execution of this experiment, the intention is to enhance our comprehension of
osmosis and its significance in the biology of plant cells. Additionally, we seek to deepen our
understanding of the response exhibited by potato cells when exposed to different
concentrations of salt.
5.1: Statistical Test

6: Evaluation
The sugar experiment on potato cells was well-structured and followed a rigorous approach.
The idea was simple and supported by scientific literature. The variables were carefully
identified and controlled in order to offer reliable results. The method was well-defined and
comprehensive, allowing anyone to replicate the experiment. The technology used was
precise and calibrated, ensuring that the data gathered was accurate and precise. The data
gathered was adequate and relevant to answering the study question. The statistical analysis
was extensive, and the results were clearly presented in tables and graphs. The evaluation of
the results followed sound scientific principles.

6.1: Conclusion
The experiment showed that the concentration of sugar solution has an effect on the size of
potato cells. Cells grown in high-sugar solutions shrank, while cells grown in low-sugar
solutions expanded, demonstrating the notion. The experiment proved that osmosis is vital for
potato cell proliferation. The experiment's findings can be utilized to better understand potato
crop growth and yield.

6.2: Strengths
Strengths: Because the experiment was well-structured and followed a scientific approach,
replication was simple. The theory was well-written and backed up by scientific literature. To
achieve consistent results, the factors were painstakingly identified and controlled. The
equipment used was exact and calibrated, which resulted in precise data collection. The data
gathered was adequate and relevant to answering the study question. The statistical analysis
was comprehensive and well-presented in tables and graphs. The outcomes were assessed
based on scientific principles that were well supported by the literature.

6.3: Weaknesses
The experiment's primary flaw is its narrow scope. The study focused entirely on the effect of
sugar on potato cells, ignoring other factors that affect potato growth, such as light and
temperature. The sample size was small, which may have influenced the statistical
significance of the findings. Finally, the experiment was conducted in a controlled
environment that may or may not be indicative of real-world conditions.
Appendices
Bibliography