OSMOSIS/DIFFUSION

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

The movement 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 diffusion?

Back

The movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Front

What is the role of the cell membrane?

Back

The cell membrane regulates what enters and leaves the cell, maintaining homeostasis.

Front

Define selective permeability.

Back

The ability of the cell membrane to allow some substances to pass through while preventing others.

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 swell.

Front

What is equilibrium in the context of diffusion?

Back

Equilibrium is reached when the concentration of molecules is the same throughout a space.

Front

What is a concentration gradient?

Back

A difference in the concentration of a substance across a space.

Front

What is facilitated diffusion?

Back

The process of passive transport of molecules across a cell membrane via specific transmembrane proteins.

Front

What is active transport?

Back

The movement of molecules across a cell membrane using energy, usually against a concentration gradient.