Osmosis and Diffusion

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

The movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration.

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

The process by which molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Front

Define isotonic solution.

Back

A solution that has the same concentration of solutes as another solution, resulting in no net movement of water.

Front

Define hypertonic solution.

Back

A solution that has a higher concentration of solutes compared to another solution, causing water to move out of cells.

Front

Define hypotonic solution.

Back

A solution that has a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution, causing water to move into cells.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

The cell will lose water and shrink.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

The cell will gain water and may swell or burst.

Front

What is a concentration gradient?

Back

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

Front

What is the role of a selectively permeable membrane?

Back

It allows certain molecules to pass through while blocking others, facilitating osmosis and diffusion.

Front

What is the significance of equilibrium in osmosis and diffusion?

Back

Equilibrium is reached when the concentration of solutes is equal on both sides of a membrane, resulting in no net movement of water or solutes.