Bio 102 Homeostasis Unit

Front

What is homeostasis?

Back

Homeostasis is the process by which living organisms maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

Front

What is a concentration gradient?

Back

A concentration gradient is the difference in concentration of a substance between two areas, which drives the movement of that substance from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the diffusion of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Front

What is a selectively permeable membrane?

Back

A selectively permeable membrane is a barrier that allows certain substances to pass through while blocking others.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

In a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell, causing it to shrink.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

In a hypotonic solution, water moves into the cell, causing it to swell and potentially burst.

Front

What is the role of phospholipids in cell membranes?

Back

Phospholipids form the bilayer of cell membranes, with hydrophilic heads facing outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward, creating a barrier to most water-soluble substances.

Front

What is passive transport?

Back

Passive transport is the movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy, typically along the concentration gradient.

Front

What is active transport?

Back

Active transport is the movement of substances against their concentration gradient, requiring energy (usually in the form of ATP).