Osmosis Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is osmosis?
Osmosis is the movement of water molecules through a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.
True or False: Osmosis requires energy.
False: Osmosis is a passive process and does not require energy.
Fill in the blank: Osmosis occurs across a __________ membrane.
semipermeable
What role do aquaporins play in osmosis?
Aquaporins are specialized proteins that facilitate the rapid transport of water across cell membranes.
Define ‘hypertonic solution’.
A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to another solution.
What happens to a cell placed in a hypotonic solution?
A cell placed in a hypotonic solution will swell and may burst due to water entering the cell.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following describes a solution with an equal concentration of solutes compared to another solution?
A) Hypertonic
B) Hypotonic
C) Isotonic
C) Isotonic
What is the effect of osmosis on plant cells?
Osmosis helps maintain turgor pressure in plant cells, keeping them rigid and upright.
True or False: Osmosis can occur without a semipermeable membrane.
False: Osmosis specifically requires a semipermeable membrane.
What is ‘osmotic pressure’?
Osmotic pressure is the pressure required to prevent the flow of water across a semipermeable membrane due to osmosis.
Fill in the blank: Water moves from an area of __________ to an area of __________ concentration during osmosis.
lower solute; higher solute
What happens to red blood cells in a hypertonic solution?
Red blood cells will shrink or crenate due to the loss of water.
Define ‘osmolarity’.
Osmolarity is the measure of solute concentration defined as the number of osmoles of solute per liter of solution.
Multiple Choice: Which term describes a solution with a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution?
A) Isotonic
B) Hypertonic
C) Hypotonic
C) Hypotonic
What is the primary factor that drives the process of osmosis?
The concentration gradient of solutes across the membrane.
True or False: Osmosis can also involve the movement of solutes.
False: Osmosis specifically refers to the movement of water, not solutes.
What is ‘tonicity’?
Tonicity refers to the ability of a solution to affect the volume of a cell by osmosis.
Fill in the blank: In a __________ environment, cells lose water and shrink.
hypertonic
What is the significance of osmosis in biological systems?
Osmosis is crucial for maintaining cell integrity, nutrient absorption, and waste removal.
Multiple Choice: Which of the following is a consequence of osmosis?
A) Cell division
B) Nutrient transport
C) Cell swelling or shrinking
C) Cell swelling or shrinking
