Diffusion & Osmosis

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

Diffusion is the process by which substances move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

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

Front

What is active transport?

Back

Active transport is the movement of substances across a cell membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring energy (ATP).

Front

What is passive transport?

Back

Passive transport is the movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy, typically along the concentration gradient.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

In a hypertonic solution, a cell will lose water and shrink due to the higher concentration of solutes outside the cell.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

In a hypotonic solution, a cell will gain water and may swell or burst due to the lower concentration of solutes outside the cell.

Front

What is isotonic solution?

Back

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

Front

What is the role of the cell membrane in diffusion?

Back

The cell membrane is selectively permeable, allowing certain substances to pass through while blocking others, facilitating diffusion.

Front

What is endocytosis?

Back

Endocytosis is the process by which cells engulf substances from the outside environment, bringing them into the cell.

Front

What is exocytosis?

Back

Exocytosis is the process by which cells expel materials to the outside environment, often involving the fusion of vesicles with the cell membrane.