Osmosis and Diffusion #1

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

Diffusion is the process by which molecules spread from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Front

What is active transport?

Back

Active transport is the movement of substances across a cell membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring energy (ATP).

Front

What is passive transport?

Back

Passive transport is the movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy, typically along the concentration gradient.

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 an isotonic solution?

Back

An isotonic solution has the same solute concentration as the inside of the cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

Front

What is the role of the cell membrane in osmosis and diffusion?

Back

The cell membrane acts as a barrier that selectively allows certain substances to pass through while blocking others, facilitating osmosis and diffusion.

Front

What is equilibrium in the context of diffusion?

Back

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

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.