Osmosis 1 Flashcards
What is osmosis?
Osmosis is the net movement of water from a dilute solution to a more concentrated solution down a concentration gradient, through a partially- permeable membrane.
What is a semi- permeable membrane?
A semi- permeable membrane is a barrier that allows some molecules to pass through but not all. eg. Allow water molecules but not salt.
What is meant by “concentration?”
Concentration is the mass of solute per unit volume of solvent.
Does osmosis require energy?
Osmosis is a passive process that doesn’t require energy.
What are the three solutions osmosis can occur in?
- Hypertonic.
- Hypotonic.
- Isotonic.
What is meant by hypotonic?
More concentrated (of solute) inside the cell, more dilute outside the cell.
What is meant by isotonic?
Same concentration (of solute) inside and outside the cell.
What is meant by hypertonic?
More concentrated (of solute) outside the cell, more dilute inside the cell.
What would happen if an animal cell is placed in a hypertonic solution?
- It will lose water by osmosis, through a semi- permeable membrane.
- It will shrivel.
What would happen if a plant cell is placed in a hypertonic solution?
- It will lose water by osmosis, through a semi- permeable membrane.
- The cell loses water from the cytoplasm and vacuole and the cell membrane detaches from the cell wall (plasmolysis.)
What is it called when the cell membrane detaches from the cell wall?
- Plasmolysis is when the cell membrane detaches from the cell wall.
What would happen if an animal cell is placed in an isotonic solution?
- Water will flow in and out of the cell at the same rate.
- There is no net movement.
What would happen if a plant cell is placed in an isotonic solution?
- Water will flow in and out of the cell at the same rate.
- There is no net movement.
What would happen if an animal cell is placed in a hypotonic solution?
- It will gain water (as outside is more dilute) by osmosis, through a semi- permeable membrane.
- It will swell and eventually burst.
What would happen if a plant cell is placed in a hypotonic solution?
- It will gain water (as outside is more dilute) by osmosis, through a semi- permeable membrane.
- It will swell, but not burst because of the cell wall.
