Osmosis & Diffusion Flashcard 1

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

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

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

Diffusion is the process by which solutes (molecules) move from an area of high concentration to an area of low 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 the cell to shrink.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

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

Front

What is equilibrium in the context of diffusion?

Back

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

Front

What role does the cell membrane play in osmosis and diffusion?

Back

The cell membrane regulates what enters and leaves the cell, allowing for the selective movement of water and solutes.

Front

What is the difference between osmosis and diffusion?

Back

Osmosis specifically refers to the movement of water, while diffusion refers to the movement of solutes.

Front

What is a concentration gradient?

Back

A concentration gradient is the difference in concentration of a substance between two areas.

Front

How does temperature affect the rate of diffusion?

Back

Higher temperatures increase the kinetic energy of molecules, leading to a faster rate of diffusion.