Osmosis Flashcards
What is Osmosis?
The diffusion of water molecules across a semi-permeable membrane
What is passive transport?
A type of membrane transport that does not require energy to move substances across cell membranes.
What is the direction of travel of water in osmosis?
Water molecules move from an area with a higher concentration of water molecules (usually a lower concentration of solutes) to an area with a lower concentration of water molecules (usually a higher concentration of solutes)
What are solutes?
Substances that can be dissolved in a solvent to make a solution (e.g. salt, sugar)
What are solvents?
Substances that other substances dissolve into (e.g. water)
What happens once the sides are equally diluted in osmosis?
The net movement of water returns to 0 (movement stil occurs)
What does hypertonic mean?
Hypertonic is a comparison word, meaning has a higher solute concentration
What does hypotonic mean?
Hypotonic is a comparison word, meaning has a lower solute concentration
What does isotonic mean?
When two solutions have the same concentration of solutes
In which direction does osmosis occur?
Towards to hypertonic side
Why are IV drips made isotonic?
They are made isotonic to the bloodstream, so that when it enters, osmosis does not occur. If it were more concentrated, the water inside the red blood cells would diffuse into it, leaving the red blood cells shrivelled. If it were less concentrated, such as pure water, the red blood cells would be hypertonic to the IV and would burst