Osmosis

• What is the definition of osmosis?

  Osmosis is the diffusion of water from a dilute solution to a concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane.
• What is the difference between a dilute solution and a concentrated solution?

  • Dilute solution: high concentration of water, low concentration of solute
  • Concentrated solution: low concentration of water, high concentration of solute
• How does osmosis differ from diffusion?

  Osmosis is the diffusion of water, while diffusion is the movement of particles.
• What happens to an animal cell placed in pure water?

  The cell expands and may burst.
• What occurs when an animal cell is placed in a concentrated solution?

  The cell shrinks.
• What is the effect of osmosis on plant cells when placed in water?

  • Water moves into the cell by osmosis
  • The cell expands and becomes turgid
  • The cell wall prevents bursting
• What happens to a plant cell placed in a concentrated solution?

  The cell shrinks and becomes flaccid.
• What is turgidity in plant cells?

  • Condition when plant cells are swollen
  • Caused by water entering the cell by osmosis
  • Cell wall prevents bursting
• What does it mean when a plant cell is described as flaccid?

  • Condition when plant cells shrink
  • Caused by water leaving the cell by osmosis