Vocabulary Review

Front

What is the plasma membrane?

Back

A membrane of phospholipids and proteins that regulates the transport of materials in and out of the cell.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

The diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane.

Front

What does hypertonic mean?

Back

A solution that has a higher solute concentration than the cell, causing a net movement of water molecules out of the cell, leading to cell shrinkage.

Front

What role does water play in biological reactions?

Back

Water is a molecule involved in many biological reactions, serving as a solvent and participating in chemical processes.

Front

What does isotonic mean?

Back

A condition where the concentration of solutes is the same inside and outside the cell.

Front

Define diffusion.

Back

The process by which molecules spread from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.

Front

What is facilitated diffusion?

Back

A process that allows substances to cross membranes with the assistance of special proteins.

Front

What is a selectively permeable membrane?

Back

A membrane that allows certain molecules to pass through while blocking others.

Front

What is homeostasis?

Back

The ability of a cell or organism to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

Front

What is the function of aquaporins?

Back

Aquaporins are channel proteins that facilitate the transport of water across cell membranes.