Osmosis Flashcards
Cell Biology (6 cards)
What is OSMOSIS?
The movement of water molecules across a partially permeable membrane from a region of higher water concentration to a region of lower water concentration.
Osmosis is crucial in biological processes, such as nutrient absorption and waste removal.
What is a partially permeable membrane?
A membrane with very small holes that allows only tiny molecules (like water) to pass through, while larger molecules (e.g., glucose) cannot.
This selective permeability is essential for cellular functions.
Do water molecules move in one direction during osmosis?
No, water molecules pass both ways through the membrane during osmosis.
The random movement of water molecules contributes to this bidirectional flow.
Why does water move into the region with fewer water molecules during osmosis?
Because there are more water molecules on one side than the other, creating a steady net flow into the region with fewer water molecules.
This process helps equalize the concentration on both sides of the membrane.
What happens to a strong sugar solution during osmosis?
It gains more water as water moves into it, effectively diluting the concentration.
This process demonstrates how osmosis can affect solute concentrations in solutions.
How is osmosis related to diffusion?
Osmosis is a type of diffusion, specifically the passive movement of water particles from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration.
Diffusion refers to the movement of any type of particles, while osmosis specifically involves water.
