Topic 1 - Osmosis Flashcards
What is Osmosis?
The diffusion of water across a partially permeable membrane.
What is the movement of water molecules?
It is random
What does osmosis not require?
Energy from the cell
What is the movement of water?
Moves from high concentration to low concentration
dilute solution to a more concentrated solution
What is the cell membrane in osmosis?
Partially permeable
What does isotonic mean?
If two solutions have the same concentrations
What does hypertonic mean?
The solution that is more concentrated ( has more solute and relatively less water) is hypertonic
What does hypotonic mean?
The solution that is more dilute ( has relatively more water and less solute) is hypotonic
What happens to animal cells that are surrounded by a hypotonic solution?
It will swell and possibly burst because water moves into the cell by osmosis
What happens if an animal cell is surrounded by a hypertonic solution?
Water moves out of the cell and they shrink
What kind of process is Osmosis?
Passive - requires no energy
