B2.1.2

Question 1

What is osmosis

Answer 1

Osmosis is the movement of water particles from an area of high water potential to low water potential across a partially permeable membrane.

Question 2

What is the concentration of free water particles known as

Answer 2

It is known as the water potential. Pure water has the highest water potential and the more concentrated a solution becomes, the lowest water potential.

Question 3

What happens when a plant cell is placed in a hypertonic solution

Answer 3

Water goes from the cell to the surroundings. The turgor pressure falls and the cell becomes plazmolysed.

Question 4

What happens when a plant cell is placed in a isotonic solution

Answer 4

As its the same concentration there is no net movement of water so the cell stays the same.

Question 5

What happens when a plant cell is placed in a hypotonic solution

Answer 5

The cell takes in water by osmosis the pressure in the cell increases: this is called turgor pressure. The cell becomes turgid.

Question 6

What happens when an animal cell is placed in a hypertonic solution

Answer 6

Water moves out of the cell and into the solution. The cell becomes crenated.

Question 7

What happens when an animal cell is placed in a hypotonic solution

Answer 7

Water moves into the cell from the solution causing the cell to become lysis.

Question 8

What happens when an animal cell is placed in an isotonic solution

Answer 8

No net movement of water so the cell stays the same