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 equilibrium is reached.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the diffusion of water molecules through a semipermeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration.

Front

What does hypertonic mean?

Back

A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to another solution.

Front

What does hypotonic mean?

Back

A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution.

Front

What does isotonic mean?

Back

An isotonic solution has the same concentration of solutes as another solution.

Front

What is a semipermeable membrane?

Back

A semipermeable membrane allows certain molecules to pass through while blocking others, typically allowing water but not solutes.

Front

What factors affect the rate of diffusion?

Back

The rate of diffusion is affected by temperature, concentration gradient, size of molecules, and the medium through which diffusion occurs.

Front

What is the concentration gradient?

Back

The concentration gradient is the difference in concentration of a substance between two areas.

Front

What is the role of size and charge in diffusion?

Back

The size and charge of a molecule determine its ability to pass through a plasma membrane; smaller and uncharged molecules diffuse more easily.

Front

Give an example of a molecule that can diffuse across a cell membrane.

Back

Oxygen (O2) can diffuse across a cell membrane due to its small size and nonpolar nature.