osmosis

Question 1

define osmosis

Answer 1

the diffusion of water particles from an area of higher water concentration to an area of a lower water concentration across a partially permeable membrane

Question 2

during osmosis, do water molecules pass both ways through the membrane or only one way?

Answer 2

both ways

Question 3

give two examples of errors which can take place in the osmosis potato experiment

Answer 3

not fully drying the potato cylinders
evaporation of water from the beakers

Question 4

partially permeable membrane

Answer 4

allows some substances to pass through but not others e.g. allows water molecules and other small molecules but not larger molecules

Question 5

hypertonic

Answer 5

the concentration of solutes in the solution is higher than the internal concentration

Question 6

hypotonic

Answer 6

the concentration of solutes in the solution is lower than the internal concentration

Question 7

isotonic

Answer 7

the concentration of solutes in the solution is the same as the internal concentration

Question 8

solute

Answer 8

substance that is dissolved in a solution

Question 9

solvent

Answer 9

a substance that dissolves a solute, resulting in a solution.

Question 10

what may happen when an animal cell is place in a hypotonic solution

Answer 10

water moves into the cell causing it to burst a process called cytolysis

Question 11

what may happen when an animal cell is place in a very hypertonic solution

Answer 11

water moves out the cell causing it to shrivel up and for it to eventually die.

Question 12

how do plants leaves and stems remain rigid

Answer 12

turgor pressure- water moves in through osmosis causing vacuole to swell and the cytoplasm to press up against the cell wall.

Question 13

what may happen when a plant cell is placed in a very hypertonic solution

Answer 13

water moves out of the cell by osmosis and the vacuole and cytoplasm decrease the size. the cell membrane may pull away from the cell wall causing the cell to be plasmolysed.

Question 14

how does osmosis helps maintain body cells at a specific concentration.

Answer 14

by the process of moving water across a semi permeable membrane to equalize concentration of solutes and water on either side. crucial for maintaining proper cell hydration.

Question 15

what happens to an animal cell in pure water

Answer 15

it will burst due to the osmotic pressure.the level of solutes inside the cell is more than outside