Osmosis Flashcards

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1
Q

What is osmosis?

A

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

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2
Q

True or False: Osmosis requires energy.

A

False: Osmosis is a passive process and does not require energy.

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3
Q

Fill in the blank: Osmosis occurs in __________ solutions.

A

aqueous

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4
Q

What is a selectively permeable membrane?

A

A selectively permeable membrane is a barrier that allows certain molecules or ions to pass through while blocking others.

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5
Q

Define hypertonic solution.

A

A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to another solution.

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6
Q

What happens to a cell placed in a hypertonic solution?

A

The cell will lose water and shrink.

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7
Q

Define hypotonic solution.

A

A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution.

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8
Q

What happens to a cell placed in a hypotonic solution?

A

The cell will gain water and may swell or burst.

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9
Q

What is isotonic solution?

A

An isotonic solution has the same concentration of solutes as another solution.

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10
Q

True or False: Water always moves from a hypertonic to a hypotonic solution.

A

False: Water moves from hypotonic to hypertonic solutions.

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11
Q

What term describes the pressure exerted by water inside a cell?

A

Turgor pressure.

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12
Q

What is the role of aquaporins in osmosis?

A

Aquaporins are channel proteins that facilitate the rapid transport of water across cell membranes.

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13
Q

Multiple Choice: Which of the following best describes osmosis? A) Movement of solutes, B) Movement of water, C) Active transport.

A

B) Movement of water.

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14
Q

What is osmotic pressure?

A

Osmotic pressure is the pressure required to prevent the flow of water across a semipermeable membrane.

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15
Q

True or False: Osmosis can occur without a semipermeable membrane.

A

False: Osmosis requires a semipermeable membrane.

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16
Q

What is the effect of osmosis on plant cells?

A

Osmosis helps maintain turgor pressure, which keeps plant cells rigid.

17
Q

What occurs during plasmolysis?

A

Plasmolysis is the process where a plant cell loses water in a hypertonic solution, causing the cell membrane to pull away from the cell wall.

18
Q

Fill in the blank: The movement of water during osmosis continues until __________ is reached.

A

equilibrium

19
Q

What is the primary driving force of osmosis?

A

The concentration gradient of solutes.

20
Q

Define osmolarity.

A

Osmolarity is the measure of solute concentration in a solution, expressed as osmoles of solute per liter of solution.

21
Q

True or False: Osmosis can affect the volume of blood cells.

A

True: Osmosis can cause blood cells to swell or shrink based on the surrounding solution.

22
Q

What happens to red blood cells in a hypotonic solution?

A

They will swell and may burst.

23
Q

What happens to red blood cells in a hypertonic solution?

A

They will shrink and become crenated.

24
Q

Multiple Choice: Which process is the opposite of osmosis? A) Diffusion, B) Active transport, C) Filtration.

A

A) Diffusion.

25
Q

What is the significance of osmosis in biological systems?

A

Osmosis is crucial for maintaining cell shape, nutrient absorption, and waste removal.

26
Q

Define osmotic balance.

A

Osmotic balance refers to the state where the concentration of solutes is equal on both sides of a semipermeable membrane.