Diffusion And Osmosis Flashcards
What is a solution?
A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances
Examples include saltwater and air.
Define solvent.
The substance in a solution that is present in the greatest amount. It dissolves the solute.
Define solute.
The substance in a solution that is dissolved by the solvent.
What is an alloy?
A solid solution of two or more metals, or of a metal or metals with a nonmetal.
What does dynamic equilibrium refer to in a solution?
A state of balance where the rate of solute dissolving equals the rate of solute precipitating.
Define diffusion.
The net movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.
What is a gradient?
A gradual change in concentration of a solute in a solution as a function of distance.
Define osmosis.
The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration.
What is tonicity?
The ability of a solution to cause a cell to gain or lose water, depending on the concentration of non-penetrating solutes relative to the inside of the cell.
What does differentially/selectively permeable mean?
A membrane that allows some substances to pass through while preventing others.
What is a hypertonic solution?
A solution with a higher solute concentration compared to the inside of a cell.
What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?
Water moves out of the cell, causing it to shrink.
What is a hypotonic solution?
A solution with a lower solute concentration compared to the inside of a cell.
What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?
Water moves into the cell, causing it to swell or burst.
What is an isotonic solution?
A solution with an equal solute concentration compared to the inside of a cell.
What happens to a cell in an isotonic solution?
No net water movement; the cell maintains its shape.
In a hypotonic solution, what is the state of plant cells?
Turgid (swollen due to water pressure), which is ideal.
In a hypotonic solution, what is the state of animal cells?
Lyse (burst) due to excessive water intake.
In a hypertonic solution, what happens to plant cells?
Plasmolysis (cell membrane pulls away from the cell wall), which is harmful.
In a hypertonic solution, what happens to animal cells?
Crenate (shrink), which is harmful.
In an isotonic solution, what is the state of plant cells?
Flaccid (limp), which is not ideal but not immediately fatal.
In an isotonic solution, what is the state of animal cells?
Normal (maintain shape), which is ideal.
What is crenation?
In hypertonic solutions, water leaves the cell and the animal cell shrivels up.
What is lysis?
In hypotonic solutions, water enters the cell and the animal cell swells up and bursts.
