Osmosis Flashcards
Why is water a universal solvent?
Water is capable of dissolving a variety of different substances which is why it is such a good solvent. It dissolves more substances than any other liquid.
What is water potential?
Look on chegg for diagram
Water potential measures the concentration of free water molecules. It is a measure of the tendency of these molecules to diffuse to another area. The more free water molecules, the higher the water potential.
Free water molecules = water molecules that are not attached to solute
molecules
What is osmosis?
Osmosis is the movement of water through a partially permeable membrane, from a high concentration to a low concentration. No energy is needed.
(The membrane may be artificial eg. visking tubing)
Explain the effect of water potential on cells?
Look on chegg for diagram
When water potential is …
*Plant cells
Low-membrane pulls away
-vacuole shrinks
High-vacuole gets bigger
-membrane gets pushed against cell wall
*Animal cells
Low-membrane shrivels
High-membrane swells then bursts
