Osmosis & Tonicity

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

Define hypertonic solution.

Back

A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell, causing water to move out of the cell.

Front

Define hypotonic solution.

Back

A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell, causing water to move into the cell.

Front

Define 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 happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

In a hypertonic solution, the cell loses water and may shrivel due to the higher concentration of solutes outside.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

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

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

Diffusion is the movement of solute particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Front

What is facilitated diffusion?

Back

Facilitated diffusion is the process of passive transport of molecules across a cell membrane via specific transmembrane proteins.

Front

What is active transport?

Back

Active transport is the movement of molecules across a cell membrane from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration, requiring energy.

Front

What is the role of the cell membrane in osmosis?

Back

The cell membrane is selectively permeable, allowing water to pass through while controlling the movement of solutes.