Diffusion and Osmosis

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

Diffusion is a type of passive transport that involves the movement of substances from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Front

What is equilibrium in the context of diffusion?

Back

Equilibrium occurs when molecules are evenly distributed throughout a cell, meaning there is no net movement of molecules in any direction.

Front

What does a concentration gradient refer to?

Back

A concentration gradient is the difference in concentration of a substance between two areas, which drives the movement of molecules during diffusion.

Front

What is a hypotonic solution?

Back

A hypotonic solution is one in which the concentration of dissolved substances is lower than the concentration inside a cell, leading to water entering the cell.

Front

What is a hypertonic solution?

Back

A hypertonic solution is one in which the concentration of dissolved substances is higher than the concentration inside a cell, causing water to leave the cell.

Front

What does isotonic mean?

Back

Isotonic refers to a solution that has the same concentration of dissolved substances as the inside of a cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

Front

What does the prefix 'hyper-' mean?

Back

The prefix 'hyper-' means 'higher' than normal.

Front

What does the prefix 'hypo-' mean?

Back

The prefix 'hypo-' means 'lower' than normal.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the diffusion of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration.

Front

What role does a selectively permeable membrane play in osmosis?

Back

A selectively permeable membrane allows certain molecules, like water, to pass through while blocking others, facilitating the process of osmosis.