Osmosis Flashcards
What is osmosis
Osmosis is the diffusion of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.
What is a selectively permeable membrane
A selectively permeable membrane allows certain molecules or ions to pass through it by diffusion and occasionally by specialized processes of facilitated diffusion, active transport, or passive transport.
What is the significance of osmosis in biological systems?
Osmosis is crucial for maintaining cell turgor pressure, nutrient absorption, and waste removal in cells.
What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?
In a hypertonic solution, a cell loses water due to osmosis, leading to cell shrinkage or crenation.
What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?
In a hypotonic solution, a cell gains water due to osmosis, which can cause it to swell and possibly burst (lysis).
What is an isotonic solution?
An isotonic solution has the same solute concentration as the cell, resulting in no net movement of water into or out of the cell.
How are diffusion and osmosis similar?
Both processes involve the movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
How are diffusion and osmosis different
Diffusion can involve the movement of any type of molecules, while osmosis specifically involves the movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane.
What is an example of an osmosis experiment?
An example of an osmosis experiment is placing a potato slice in different concentrations of sugar solutions and observing the changes in mass due to water movement
What is turgor pressure in plants
Turgor pressure is the pressure exerted by water inside the cell against the cell wall, providing structural support to the plant
How does osmosis affect red blood cells in different solutions?
In a hypertonic solution, red blood cells shrink (crenate). In a hypotonic solution, they swell and may burst (lyse). In an isotonic solution, they maintain their normal shape.
What happens to an animal cell placed in a hypotonic solution
In a hypotonic solution, water flows into the animal cell due to the lower solute concentration outside the cell. Without a cell wall to prevent excessive swelling, the cell may burst.
What happens to an animal cell placed in a hypertonic solution
In a hypertonic solution, water flows out of the animal cell due to the higher solute concentration outside the cell, causing it to shrink
What is the role of osmoregulation in animal cells
Osmoregulation is the process by which animals regulate the concentration of solutes and water in their cells to maintain proper cell function. It is essential for maintaining homeostasis in the body
