Diffusion & Osmosis (chpt. 13) Flashcards
Diffusion
The movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration
Doesn’t need energy (passive)
Osmosis
The movement of water from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration across a selectively permeable membrane
No energy required
Active transport
The movement of substances across a cell membrane against a concentration gradient using energy from respiration
Osmoregulation
A system that consists of a contractile vacuole, this expels water
Contractile vacuole
In amoeba, expels water
Isotonic solution
Equal concentrations
Cell remains intact
Hypotonic solution
Concentration of solutes is greater inside the cell than out of it
Cell may burst & die
Hypertonic solution
Concentration of solutes is greater outside the cell than inside it
Cell may shrivel up & die
Turgor pressure
Outward pressure of the cell contents against the cell wall of a plant
What happens when a plant doesn’t get water
Wilt
Plasmolysis
If placed in a hypertonic solution the cell cytoplasm shrinks
Turgid cells
If placed in water the cell swells up
2 examples of osmosis in food preservation
Sugar added to jam
Salt added to meat
Why is osmosis used in food preservation
When microorganisms land on the food (e.g. jam) they lose water by osmosis and die
This extends the shelf life of the product
Example of osmosis
Absorption of water by root hairs