Osmosis

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 does hypertonic mean?

Back

A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to another solution.

Front

What does hypotonic mean?

Back

A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution.

Front

What does isotonic mean?

Back

An isotonic solution has the same concentration of solutes as another solution.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

The cell will lose water and shrink.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

The cell will gain water and may swell or burst.

Front

What is a selectively permeable membrane?

Back

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

Front

Why can't you drink salt water?

Back

Drinking salt water is harmful because it is hypertonic to your cells, causing them to lose water.

Front

What is the role of water in osmosis?

Back

Water moves to balance solute concentrations on both sides of a membrane.

Front

How does osmosis affect plant cells?

Back

In a hypotonic solution, plant cells swell and become turgid; in a hypertonic solution, they lose water and become plasmolyzed.