Osmosis Flashcards
What is the definition of osmosis?
The net movement of water particles from an area of high water potential to an area of low water potential across a partially permeable membrane
A diluted solution has a [blank] water potential
fill in the blank
High
A concentrated solution has a [blank] water potential
low
What are the units of water potential?
Kilopascals (kPa)
What is the highest possible value for water potential?
0 kPa
Is osmosis an active of passive process?
Passive
What happens to an animal cell when there is a low water potential outside the cell
- Water leaves the cell via osmosis
- The cell shrinks and becomes crenated
- water leavs/enters the cell
- What happens as a result of this
What happens to an animal cell when there is a high water potential outside of the cell?
- Water enters the cell via osmosis
- The cell swells and becomes turgid, eventually bursting (lysis)
What happens to a plant cell when there is a high water potential outside of the cell?
- Water enters the cell via osmosis
- The cell swells and becomes turgid
What happens to a plant cell when there is a low water potential outside of the cell?
- Water leaves the cell via osmosis
- The cell becomes flaccid
What happens to a plant cell when there is a very low water potential outside of the cell?
- Water leaves the cell via osmosis
- The cell becomes plasmolysed and the cytoplasm is pulled away from the cell wall