Osmosis

• What is osmosis?

  Movement of water across a semipermeable membrane
• What does osmosis involve?

  Water molecules
• What happens to a potato in a lower water potential solution?

  It shrinks as water moves out
• Why does the potato shrink in a lower water potential solution?

  Water moves from higher to lower concentration
• If a piece of carrot is placed in a solution with lower water potential, what happens to the water?

  Water moves out of the carrot cells
• How does the water concentration gradient affect osmosis in cells?

  Water moves from high to low concentration areas
• What is the definition of water potential?

  • Measure of the potential energy of water
  • Influences the movement of water in osmosis
• What are the key components of osmosis?

  • Water molecules
  • Semipermeable membrane
  • Concentration gradient
• What is the effect of placing plant cells in hypertonic solutions?

  • Cells lose water
  • Cells shrink and may become plasmolyzed
• What is the significance of osmosis in biological systems?

  • Maintains cell turgor pressure
  • Regulates nutrient and waste transport