What do you think will happen if you keep the “Solute outside” variable the same across two trials but vary the “Initial cell volume” percentages? Why?
If the "Solute outside" variable is kept the same across two trials but the "Initial cell volume" percentages are varied, the outcome would depend on the specific circumstances and factors involved.
In general, altering the "Initial cell volume" percentage while leaving the "Solute outside" constant can affect the osmotic pressure and the movement of water and solutes across the cell membrane. Here are a few possibilities of what might happen:
1. Cell Swelling: Increasing the "Initial cell volume" percentage might result in an influx of water into the cell, causing it to swell. This occurs if the cell volume and the concentration of solutes inside the cell become lower relative to the solution outside. The concentration difference would create a driving force for water to enter the cell and equalize the concentrations. Consequently, the cell may expand or burst if the volume increase is significant.
2. Cell Shrinking: Decreasing the "Initial cell volume" percentage would lead to water leaving the cell, causing it to shrink. This happens when the concentration of solutes inside the cell is higher than that outside, resulting in a concentration gradient that drives water out of the cell.
3. No Change: If the solute concentration inside and outside the cell is already balanced (i.e., isotonic condition), changing the "Initial cell volume" percentages would likely produce no noticeable effects on the cell size or water movement. In this case, the concentration gradient is already equal, and water would not actively move into or out of the cell.
The exact outcome depends on various factors, including the osmotic properties of the solutes, the permeability of the cell membrane to water and solutes, and the specific concentrations involved. Without further details, it is challenging to predict the specific outcomes that would result from varying the "Initial cell volume" percentages while keeping the "Solute outside" variable constant.