Osmosis Flashcard

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

Front

What does equilibrium mean in the context of cells?

Back

Equilibrium is the state when both the inside and outside of a cell have the same amount of water.

Front

In a saltwater solution, what is the solute?

Back

In a saltwater solution, the solute is salt.

Front

What is a solvent?

Back

A solvent is a substance that dissolves a solute, such as water in a saltwater solution.

Front

What does selectively permeable mean?

Back

Selectively permeable means that only certain substances can pass through the membrane.

Front

What is an isotonic solution?

Back

An isotonic solution is one where the concentration of solutes is the same inside and outside the cell.

Front

What is a hypertonic solution?

Back

A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes outside the cell than inside, causing water to move out of the cell.

Front

What is a hypotonic solution?

Back

A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes outside the cell than inside, causing water to move into the cell.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

In a hypertonic solution, the cell loses water and may shrivel.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

In a hypotonic solution, the cell gains water and may swell or burst.