Osmosis

• Osmosis is the diffusion of water from a dilute solution to a concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane
• Dilute solutions contain a high concentration of of water
• Concentrated solutions contain a low concentration of water
• Partially permeable membranes allow some molecules to pass through but not all
• If we place an animal cell in a very concentrated solution, then water will move out of the cell by osmosis and the cell will shrink
• If we place an animal cell in a dilute solution the water moving in through osmosis will cause the cell to expand. The cell could even burst
• If we place an animal cell in a dilute solution. The cell was prevents the plant cell from bursting. Instead the cell becomes swollen. Scientists call this turgid
• If we place a plant cell into a concentrated solution. The cell will shrink. Scientists say that the cell has become flaccid