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Percentage gain and loss of mass

Key concepts in biology · Transport in cells · note 5 of 5

Percentage gain and loss of massSpec 1.17

Different cylinders may start with slightly different masses, so you compare them using the percentage change in mass.

percentage change = (final mass − initial mass) ÷ initial mass × 100

A positive answer is a percentage gain. A negative answer is a percentage loss.

Percentage change in mass

A potato cylinder has a mass of 3.00 g. After 30 minutes in a salt solution its mass is 2.55 g. Calculate the percentage change in mass.

  1. change in mass = 2.55 − 3.00 = −0.45 g
  2. −0.45 ÷ 3.00 = −0.15
  3. −0.15 × 100 = −15%

Answer: −15% (a loss of 15%)

Quick check

  1. Define diffusion.

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    The net movement of particles from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration.

  2. Define osmosis.

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    The diffusion of water from a dilute solution to a more concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane.

  3. What does active transport need that diffusion does not?

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    Energy from respiration.

  4. A potato cylinder gains mass in a solution. What does this tell you about the solution?

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    It is more dilute than the cell contents.

  5. Write the equation for percentage change in mass.

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    (final mass − initial mass) ÷ initial mass × 100.

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