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Factors affecting the investigation Osmosis occurs when there is a difference in potentials, each side of a selectively permeable membrane. The free water molecules move from a high potential to a low potential across a selectively permeable membrane. In this case, the tiny holes in the membrane of the potato cells will allow the water molecules to pass through in and out of the solution and the potato, depending on the concentration gradient of the two substances. So in this case, when the water potential is lower in the potato cells, the water will diffuse across from the solution, and into the cells of the potato, so therefore the potato will gain mass. If there is very little difference in the two water concentrations, there shouldnˇ¦t be such a big change in mass.
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