Osmosis Flashcards
What is osmosis?
Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from an area of high water concentration to an area of low water concentration through a selectively permeable membrane.
True or False: Osmosis is a type of passive transport.
True
Fill in the blank: Osmosis is driven by the concentration gradient of ________.
water
What is a selectively permeable membrane?
A membrane that allows certain molecules or ions to pass through while blocking others.
Which organelle in plant cells plays a role in osmosis?
Vacuole
What happens to plant cells in a hypertonic solution?
They lose water and shrink, causing wilting.
In which direction does water move in a hypotonic solution for plant cells?
Into the cell
What is turgor pressure in plant cells?
The pressure exerted by the cell contents against the cell wall as a result of water uptake.
How does osmosis help plants maintain their shape and structure?
By regulating the movement of water into and out of cells to maintain turgor pressure.
What is plasmolysis in plant cells?
The process in which a cell loses water in a hypertonic solution, causing the cell membrane to shrink away from the cell wall.
What is the role of aquaporins in osmosis?
Aquaporins are proteins that facilitate the movement of water across cell membranes.
How does temperature affect the rate of osmosis?
Higher temperatures generally increase the rate of osmosis due to increased kinetic energy of molecules.
What is the difference between osmosis and diffusion?
Osmosis specifically refers to the movement of water molecules, while diffusion is the movement of any type of molecule.
How does osmosis contribute to nutrient uptake in plants?
Osmosis helps plants absorb essential nutrients dissolved in soil water through their roots.
What is the importance of osmosis in maintaining plant cell turgidity?
Turgidity helps support plants structurally and aids in efficient nutrient transport.
What is the role of root hairs in osmosis?
Root hairs increase the surface area for water absorption through osmosis in plant roots.
What is the main function of the cell wall in relation to osmosis?
The cell wall provides structural support and prevents excessive water uptake in plant cells during osmosis.
How does water potential affect the direction of osmosis?
Water moves from areas of higher water potential to areas of lower water potential during osmosis.
What is the role of stomata in osmosis?
Stomata control the exchange of gases and water vapor, including water loss through transpiration in plants.
How does osmosis contribute to the process of photosynthesis in plants?
Osmosis helps maintain the necessary water balance for photosynthesis to occur effectively in plant cells.
What is the relationship between osmosis and water potential?
Osmosis is driven by differences in water potential between two areas, with water moving from higher to lower potential.
How does soil salinity affect osmosis in plant roots?
High soil salinity can create a hypertonic environment, leading to reduced water uptake by plant roots through osmosis.
What is the significance of osmosis in agriculture and crop production?
Understanding osmosis helps optimize irrigation practices and nutrient uptake for improved crop growth and yield.
How does pressure potential influence the movement of water in osmosis?
Pressure potential can counteract the effects of osmotic potential, affecting the direction of water movement in plant cells.
What is the role of osmosis in the transport of sugars in plants?
Osmosis helps move sugars and other solutes through plant tissues to support growth and metabolism.
