Osmosis and Life

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 does isotonic mean in terms of solutions?

Back

Isotonic refers to a solution that has the same solute concentration as another solution, resulting in no net movement of water across a membrane.

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 or crenate due to loss of water.

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 due to excess water intake.

Front

What is the role of a selectively permeable membrane in osmosis?

Back

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

Front

How does osmosis affect plant cells?

Back

Osmosis helps maintain turgor pressure in plant cells, which is essential for structural support and growth.

Front

What is turgor pressure?

Back

Turgor pressure is the pressure exerted by the fluid inside the central vacuole of a plant cell against the cell wall, helping maintain the cell's shape.

Front

What is the significance of water potential in osmosis?

Back

Water potential determines the direction of water movement; water moves from areas of higher water potential to areas of lower water potential.

Front

What is the difference between solute and solvent?

Back

A solute is a substance that is dissolved in a solution, while a solvent is the substance that dissolves the solute, typically a liquid.

Front

What is a hypertonic solution?

Back

A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solute compared to another solution, leading to water moving out of cells placed in it.