Tonicity

Front

What is tonicity?

Back

Tonicity refers to the ability of a solution to affect the volume of a cell by altering its water content.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

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

Front

What is a hypertonic solution?

Back

A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell, leading to water moving out of the cell.

Front

What occurs in an isotonic solution?

Back

In an isotonic solution, the concentration of solutes is equal inside and outside the cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

Front

Define a hypotonic solution.

Back

A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell.

Front

What is the effect of a hypertonic solution on plant cells?

Back

In a hypertonic solution, plant cells lose water, leading to plasmolysis, where the cell membrane pulls away from the cell wall.

Front

What is the primary factor that determines the direction of water movement in osmosis?

Back

The concentration gradient of solutes determines the direction of water movement in osmosis.

Front

How does active transport differ from passive transport?

Back

Active transport requires energy to move substances against their concentration gradient, while passive transport does not.

Front

What is osmotic pressure?

Back

Osmotic pressure is the pressure required to prevent the flow of water across a semipermeable membrane due to osmosis.

Front

What is the role of the cell membrane in tonicity?

Back

The cell membrane regulates the movement of water and solutes, affecting the cell's tonicity.