Osmosis and Diffusion

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

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

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

Diffusion is the movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Front

What happens to a plant cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

The plant cell undergoes plasmolysis, where it loses water and shrinks.

Front

What happens to a red blood cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

The red blood cell swells and may burst due to excess water intake.

Front

Define hypotonic solution.

Back

A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution, causing water to enter the cell.

Front

Define hypertonic solution.

Back

A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to another solution, causing water to leave the cell.

Front

What is a selectively permeable membrane?

Back

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

Front

What is the role of energy in active transport?

Back

Active transport requires energy (usually from ATP) to move substances against their concentration gradient.

Front

What does hydrophobic mean?

Back

Hydrophobic means 'water-fearing'; substances that do not mix well with water.

Front

What does hydrophilic mean?

Back

Hydrophilic means 'water-loving'; substances that readily mix with or dissolve in water.