Immune system: Immune system and osmosis

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from an area of high water concentration to an area of low water concentration.

Front

What happens to a plant cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

In a hypertonic solution, a plant cell will lose water and undergo plasmolysis, causing it to shrink.

Front

What is a solvent?

Back

A solvent is a substance in which a solute is dissolved to form a solution.

Front

What is equilibrium in the context of molecular movement?

Back

Equilibrium is the state reached when molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration until their concentrations are equal.

Front

What occurs when a cell is placed in pure water?

Back

When a cell is placed in pure water, water will enter the cell, potentially causing it to swell.

Front

Define diffusion.

Back

Diffusion is the process by which molecules spread from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.

Front

What is cytolysis?

Back

Cytolysis is the bursting of a cell due to excessive water intake, often occurring in a hypotonic solution.

Front

What is plasmolysis?

Back

Plasmolysis is the process where cells lose water in a hypertonic solution, causing the cell membrane to pull away from the cell wall.

Front

What is a hypotonic solution?

Back

A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell, leading to water entering the cell.

Front

What is selective permeability?

Back

Selective permeability is the property of a cell membrane that allows certain molecules to pass through while blocking others.