Osmosis Review

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

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

Front

What is an isotonic solution?

Back

An isotonic solution has an equal concentration of solute compared to the inside of a cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

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

Front

What is a hypotonic solution?

Back

A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solute compared to the inside of a cell, leading to water moving into the cell.

Front

Define solvent.

Back

A solvent is the substance in which a solute is dissolved, typically a liquid.

Front

What is a solute?

Back

A solute is a substance that is dissolved in a solvent to form a solution.

Front

What is the effect of placing a cell in distilled water?

Back

Placing a cell in distilled water (a hypotonic solution) causes water to move into the cell, making it swell.

Front

What is the role of a selectively permeable membrane?

Back

A selectively permeable membrane allows certain molecules to pass through while blocking others, facilitating osmosis.

Front

What occurs during osmosis when two solutions are separated by a membrane?

Back

Water moves from the area of lower solute concentration to the area of higher solute concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Front

What is equilibrium in the context of osmosis?

Back

Equilibrium is the state where the concentration of solute is equal on both sides of a membrane, resulting in no net movement of water.