Diffusion and Osmosis

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration until they are evenly distributed.

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 is the main difference between passive transport and active transport?

Back

Active transport requires energy to move substances against their concentration gradient, while passive transport does not require energy and moves substances down their concentration gradient.

Front

Give an example of a molecule that can move by diffusion across a cell membrane.

Back

Oxygen (O2) is an example of a molecule that can move by diffusion across a cell membrane.

Front

What happens to solutes during diffusion?

Back

Solutes move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Front

What is the equilibrium state in diffusion?

Back

Equilibrium is reached when solutes are equally dispersed throughout the solution.

Front

What is a selectively permeable membrane?

Back

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

Front

What role does energy play in active transport?

Back

Energy, usually in the form of ATP, is required in active transport to move substances against their concentration gradient.

Front

What is the hydrophilic portion of a cell membrane?

Back

The hydrophilic portion of a cell membrane is the part that is attracted to water, typically composed of phosphate heads in phospholipids.

Front

What is the concentration gradient?

Back

The concentration gradient is the difference in concentration of a substance between two areas, which drives diffusion.