Osmosis

Question 1

What is Osmosis?

Answer 1

The passage of water from a region where it has a higher water potential to a region where it has a lower water potential through a selectively permeable membrane.

Question 2

What is water potential?

Answer 2

Water potential is the pressure created by water molecules. It is measured in kPa, and has the greek letter psi (trident symbol).

Question 3

What is the water potential of pure water?

Answer 3

0 kPa

Question 4

What is the effect of increasing solute on water potential?

Answer 4

Increasing solute, decreasing water potential.

Question 5

How does water potential affect water movement?

Answer 5

The higher the water potential, the more likely it is ater will move from this region to an area of lower water potential.

Question 6

What happens when animal and plant cells are placed into pure water?

Answer 6

Water can either enter, not enter or leave an animal or plant cell depending on how much more or less water potential the surrounding solution has.