What effect does osmosis have on potato cylinders placed in sugar solutions?

The correct choice effectively describes the behavior of potato cylinders when placed in sugar solutions of varying concentrations due to the principle of osmosis. Osmosis is the movement of water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

In dilute solutions, where the concentration of sugar is lower than inside the potato cells, water moves into the cells. As water enters, the cells swell, leading to an increase in mass. Conversely, in concentrated sugar solutions, the concentration of solutes is higher outside the cells, causing water to move out of the potato cells and into the surrounding solution. This loss of water results in a decrease in mass for the cylinders.

Therefore, the correct statement captures the dynamic nature of osmotic movement, illustrating how potato cylinders respond differently to varying sugar concentrations by gaining mass in dilute solutions and losing mass in concentrated solutions. This understanding is foundational in cell biology and emphasizes the importance of solute concentration in biological processes.