EOC Review: Osmosis

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is 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 does hypertonic mean in relation to a cell?

Back

A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solute compared to the inside of the cell, causing water to move out of the cell.

Front

What does hypotonic mean in relation to a cell?

Back

A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solute compared to the inside of the cell, causing water to move into the cell.

Front

What is an isotonic solution?

Back

An isotonic solution has an equal concentration of solute compared to the inside of the cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

Front

What is the significance of a selectively permeable membrane?

Back

A selectively permeable membrane allows certain substances to pass through while blocking others, which is crucial for maintaining homeostasis in cells.

Front

How does water move during osmosis?

Back

Water moves from an area of high concentration of water (low solute concentration) to an area of low concentration of water (high solute concentration).

Front

What is the effect of placing a cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

The cell will lose water and may shrivel due to the higher solute concentration outside the cell.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

The cell will gain water and may swell or burst due to the lower solute concentration outside the cell.

Front

Define permeable. What does it mean for a membrane to be permeable?

Back

Permeable means that substances can pass through. A permeable membrane allows certain molecules to move freely across it.

Front

What is the role of solute concentration in osmosis?

Back

Solute concentration determines the direction of water movement during osmosis; water moves towards the area of higher solute concentration.