Topic 1b - transport in cells ( 2. osmosis )

Question 1

what is osmosis

Answer 1

osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a partially permeable membrane from a region of higher water concentration to a region of lower water concentration.

Question 2

what is a partially permeable membrane?

Answer 2

a membrane with very small holes in it. only tiny molecules can pass through them and big molecules cannot.

Question 3

state the steps to investigating the effect of sugar solutions on plant cells

Answer 3

1. cut up a potato into identical cylinders and measure their masses
2. get some beakers with different sugar solutions in them. One should be pure water and another a very concentrated sugar solution.
3. place one potato cylinder in each beaker and leave for 24hrs.
4. take cylinders out, dry them with a paper towel and measure their masses again