Osmosis and Diffusion

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

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

The movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

The cell will swell (get bigger) as water moves into the cell.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

The cell will shrink (get smaller) as water moves out of the cell.

Front

What is selective permeability?

Back

The ability of the cell membrane to allow some substances to pass through while blocking others.

Front

What is an isotonic solution?

Back

A solution where the concentration of solutes is equal inside and outside the cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

Front

What is the role of the cell membrane in osmosis?

Back

The cell membrane regulates the movement of water and solutes in and out of the cell.

Front

How does temperature affect diffusion?

Back

Higher temperatures increase the energy of molecules, leading to faster diffusion rates.

Front

What is the concentration gradient?

Back

The difference in concentration of a substance between two areas, which drives diffusion.

Front

What is turgor pressure?

Back

The pressure exerted by water inside the central vacuole of a plant cell, helping maintain its shape.