Osmosis

• What is osmosis?

  Diffusion of water through a membrane
• What does osmosis involve in terms of solutions?

  Water moves from dilute to concentrated solutions
• What type of membrane is involved in osmosis?

  Partially permeable membrane
• What is a dilute sugar solution characterized by?

  High concentration of water molecules
• What is a concentrated sugar solution characterized by?

  Low concentration of water molecules
• What happens when a dilute and concentrated solution are separated by a membrane?

  Water diffuses from dilute to concentrated solution
• What is the effect of osmosis on animal cells placed in water?

  Cells expand and may burst
• What happens to an animal cell in a concentrated solution?

  Water moves out, causing the cell to shrink
• What is the effect of osmosis on plant cells placed in water?

  Cells expand and become turgid
• What prevents plant cells from bursting when they expand?

  The cell wall provides structural support
• What happens to a plant cell in a concentrated solution?

  Water moves out, causing the cell to shrink
• What term describes a plant cell that has become swollen due to osmosis?

  Turgid
• What term describes a plant cell that has lost water and shrunk?

  Flaccid
• What are the effects of osmosis on animal and plant cells?

  • Animal cells in water: expand and may burst
  • Animal cells in concentrated solution: shrink
  • Plant cells in water: expand and become turgid
  • Plant cells in concentrated solution: shrink and become flaccid
• What are the key concepts of osmosis?

  • Definition: diffusion of water through a membrane
  • Involves dilute and concentrated solutions
  • Occurs through a partially permeable membrane