Osmosis

• Osmosis


  The diffusion of water from a dilute solution to a concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane
• Dilute solution


  • Contains a high concentration of water
  • Contains a low concentration of solute (e.g. sugar)
• Concentrated solution


  • Contains a low concentration of water
  • Contains a high concentration of solute (e.g. sugar)
• Osmosis


  Water diffuses from the dilute solution to the concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane
• Animal cell in water

  Water moves into the cell by osmosis, causing the cell to expand and potentially burst
• Animal cell in concentrated solution


  Water moves out of the cell by osmosis, causing the cell to shrink
• Plant cell in water

  Water moves into the cell by osmosis, causing the cell to become turgid (swollen)
• Plant cell in concentrated solution

  Water moves out of the cell by osmosis, causing the cell to become flaccid (shrunken)
• The cell wall prevents the plant cell from bursting when water moves in by osmosis