Diffusion/Osmosis

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

Diffusion is the process by which molecules spread from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the diffusion of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high 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

What is isotonic solution?

Back

An isotonic solution has the same concentration of solutes as the cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

Front

What is active transport?

Back

Active transport is the movement of molecules against a concentration gradient, requiring energy (ATP) to move substances from low to high concentration.

Front

What is a concentration gradient?

Back

A concentration gradient is the difference in the concentration of a substance between two areas.

Front

What role do cell membranes play in osmosis and diffusion?

Back

Cell membranes are selectively permeable, allowing certain molecules to pass while blocking others, thus facilitating osmosis and diffusion.

Front

What is the significance of equilibrium in diffusion?

Back

Equilibrium is reached when the concentration of molecules is equal throughout a space, resulting in no net movement of molecules.

Front

How does temperature affect the rate of diffusion?

Back

Higher temperatures increase the kinetic energy of molecules, leading to a faster rate of diffusion.