Water Potential

Front

What is water potential?

Back

Water potential is the measure of the potential energy in water, influencing the direction of water movement. It is affected by solute concentration and pressure.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

In a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell, causing it to shrink.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

In a hypotonic solution, water moves into the cell, causing it to swell and potentially burst.

Front

Define diffusion.

Back

Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Front

What is the role of aquaporins?

Back

Aquaporins are channel proteins that facilitate the rapid transport of water across cell membranes.

Front

How does temperature affect water potential?

Back

As temperature increases, the kinetic energy of water molecules increases, which can increase water potential.

Front

What is turgor pressure?

Back

Turgor pressure is the pressure exerted by the fluid in the central vacuole against the cell wall, helping maintain cell structure.

Front

What is the relationship between solute potential and water potential?

Back

Water potential is the sum of solute potential and pressure potential. Solute potential is always negative or zero.

Front

What is a selectively permeable membrane?

Back

A selectively permeable membrane allows certain molecules or ions to pass through while blocking others.