Osmosis Flashcards

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1
Q

What is osmosis?

A

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.

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2
Q

True or False: Osmosis is a type of passive transport.

A

True

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3
Q

Fill in the blank: Osmosis is driven by the concentration gradient of ________.

A

water

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4
Q

What is a selectively permeable membrane?

A

A membrane that allows certain molecules or ions to pass through while blocking others.

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5
Q

Which organelle in plant cells plays a role in osmosis?

A

Vacuole

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6
Q

What happens to plant cells in a hypertonic solution?

A

They lose water and shrink, causing wilting.

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7
Q

In which direction does water move in a hypotonic solution for plant cells?

A

Into the cell

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8
Q

What is turgor pressure in plant cells?

A

The pressure exerted by the cell contents against the cell wall as a result of water uptake.

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9
Q

How does osmosis help plants maintain their shape and structure?

A

By regulating the movement of water into and out of cells to maintain turgor pressure.

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10
Q

What is plasmolysis in plant cells?

A

The process in which a cell loses water in a hypertonic solution, causing the cell membrane to shrink away from the cell wall.

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11
Q

What is the role of aquaporins in osmosis?

A

Aquaporins are proteins that facilitate the movement of water across cell membranes.

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12
Q

How does temperature affect the rate of osmosis?

A

Higher temperatures generally increase the rate of osmosis due to increased kinetic energy of molecules.

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13
Q

What is the difference between osmosis and diffusion?

A

Osmosis specifically refers to the movement of water molecules, while diffusion is the movement of any type of molecule.

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14
Q

How does osmosis contribute to nutrient uptake in plants?

A

Osmosis helps plants absorb essential nutrients dissolved in soil water through their roots.

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15
Q

What is the importance of osmosis in maintaining plant cell turgidity?

A

Turgidity helps support plants structurally and aids in efficient nutrient transport.

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16
Q

What is the role of root hairs in osmosis?

A

Root hairs increase the surface area for water absorption through osmosis in plant roots.

17
Q

What is the main function of the cell wall in relation to osmosis?

A

The cell wall provides structural support and prevents excessive water uptake in plant cells during osmosis.

18
Q

How does water potential affect the direction of osmosis?

A

Water moves from areas of higher water potential to areas of lower water potential during osmosis.

19
Q

What is the role of stomata in osmosis?

A

Stomata control the exchange of gases and water vapor, including water loss through transpiration in plants.

20
Q

How does osmosis contribute to the process of photosynthesis in plants?

A

Osmosis helps maintain the necessary water balance for photosynthesis to occur effectively in plant cells.

21
Q

What is the relationship between osmosis and water potential?

A

Osmosis is driven by differences in water potential between two areas, with water moving from higher to lower potential.

22
Q

How does soil salinity affect osmosis in plant roots?

A

High soil salinity can create a hypertonic environment, leading to reduced water uptake by plant roots through osmosis.

23
Q

What is the significance of osmosis in agriculture and crop production?

A

Understanding osmosis helps optimize irrigation practices and nutrient uptake for improved crop growth and yield.

24
Q

How does pressure potential influence the movement of water in osmosis?

A

Pressure potential can counteract the effects of osmotic potential, affecting the direction of water movement in plant cells.

25
Q

What is the role of osmosis in the transport of sugars in plants?

A

Osmosis helps move sugars and other solutes through plant tissues to support growth and metabolism.