osmosis

• What is osmosis?

  The diffusion of water from a dilute solution to a concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane
• How does osmosis differ from diffusion?

  Osmosis specifically refers to the movement of water, while diffusion refers to the movement of particles
• If a cell has a higher concentration of water outside than inside, what will happen to the cell?

  Water will move into the cell by osmosis
• What happens to an animal cell placed in pure water?

  The cell expands and may burst due to water moving in by osmosis
• What is the effect of osmosis on a plant cell placed in water?

  The plant cell becomes turgid and swells without bursting due to the cell wall
• What term describes a plant cell that has become swollen due to osmosis?

  Turgid
• What happens to a plant cell in a concentrated solution?

  Water moves out of the cell, causing it to become flaccid
• Why does a plant cell not burst when it becomes turgid?

  The cell wall provides structural support and prevents bursting
• What are the key points about osmosis in animal and plant cells?

  • Osmosis is the diffusion of water through a partially permeable membrane.
  • In animal cells:
  • Water moving in causes expansion and potential bursting.
  • Water moving out causes shrinking.
  • In plant cells:
  • Water moving in causes turgidity without bursting due to the cell wall.
  • Water moving out causes flaccidity.
• What is the concentration of water in a dilute solution?

  A high concentration of water
• What is the concentration of water in a concentrated solution?

  A low concentration of water
• What role does a partially permeable membrane play in osmosis?

  It allows water molecules to pass through but not sugar molecules
• If you place an animal cell in a concentrated solution, what will happen?

  Water will move out of the cell, causing it to shrink
• What is the effect of osmosis on the cytoplasm of cells?

  The cytoplasm is a relatively concentrated solution
• What happens to the concentration of water during osmosis?

  Water moves from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration
• How does the concentration of sugar affect osmosis in cells?

  A higher concentration of sugar leads to water moving out of the cell
• What are the key points of osmosis?


  • Involves water molecules
  • Moves from high to low concentration
  • Occurs across a semipermeable membrane
  • Is a passive process (no energy required)
• What is the role of semipermeable membranes in osmosis?


  • Allow some substances to pass through while blocking others
  • Typically allow water to pass but not larger molecules
  • Examples include cell membranes and some artificial membranes
• If you have two solutions separated by a semipermeable membrane, and one solution has 20% sugar while the other has 10% sugar, in which direction will water move?


  From the 10% sugar solution to the 20% sugar solution.