Lab Report Guidelines:
Your lab report should include the following:
1) Title
Due 2nd Meeting week of
2) Graph
August 25th
a. Clearly labeled horizontal and vertical axes, title, line of best fit with slope
b. Label each region of graph as hypo, iso or hypertonic
c. Verbal statement explaining the graph (2-3 sentences)
3) Pictures/Observations from purple onion investigation
4) Conclusion
a. Justify the change in mass that we witnessed with the potato cores and the changes in
the purple onion cells using evidence from the lab, and our discussion on water.
b. **The best lab reports will tie all of these investigations together into one logically
developed conclusion supported by data to tell a story of what is happening in the
potato lab conditions
c. The following can be used to help steer your conclusion. You don’t have to use any
or all. You should not just answer these questions directly (no bullet points).
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
What is happening in each condition in the onion?
Why did we include both the potato cores and the onion investigation?
What do the words isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic and osmosis mean?
What concentrations are hypotonic for the potato?
What concentrations are hypertonic for the potato?
What molecules can and can’t diffuse into and out of the potatoes and the onion?
You will be evaluated on:
1) Your understanding of the movement of water and how the data collected in these investigations
provide support for this process.
2) Your understanding of the experimental design of the labs
3) Your ability to explain your ideas clearly and succinctly.
4) Presentation: neatness and organization counts!
a. The order in the lab report should be the same as in the lab report format.
Shady Side Academy, PA. 2010/2011, modified by S. Bellamy 2013