Question

1. an osmosis investigation was conducted using 20 chicken eggs to represent cells with semipermeable membranes. the eggs were first soaked in vinegar to dissolve the shell. the eggs were then transferred to corn syrup for 24 hours and then to distilled water for 24 hours. the mass of each egg was measured before and after each soaking to determine how much water diffused into or out of the eggs. the table below shows the average mass of the eggs at each step of the investigation. based on this experiment, which of the following should be inferred about cells with semipermeable membranes? osmosis in cells vinegar (95% water) average mass of eggs before soaking (grams) 71.2 average mass of eggs after soaking (grams) 98.6 difference in average mass (grams) 27.4 percent change in average mass +38.5 corn syrup (5% water) 98.6 64.5 34.1 -34.6 distilled water (100% water) 64.5 105.3 40.8 +63.3 substances other than water may also cross the cell membrane. substances other than water may block pores in the cell membrane. water enters the cell when placed in environments of high water concentration. water leaves the cell when placed in environments with a low concentration of solutes.

Explanation:

Osmosis is the movement of water across a semi - permeable membrane from an area of high water concentration to an area of low water concentration. When the eggs (representing cells) were in vinegar (95% water), they gained mass (water entered). When in corn syrup (5% water, high solute concentration, low water concentration), they lost mass (water left). When in distilled water (100% water, high water concentration), they gained mass (water entered). This shows that water enters the cell (gaining mass) when in a high - water - concentration environment.

Answer:

Water enters the cell when placed in environments of high water concentration.