osmosis Flashcards
(11 cards)
What is osmosis?
The net movement of water molecules from a solution with high water potential to low water potential across a partially permeable membrane.
What is water potential?
The tendency of water molecules to leave a solution by osmosis.
Is a higher water potential more negative or more positive?
More positive.
Is a lower water potential more negative or more positive?
More negative.
What is the water potential of pure water?
Zero.
What does the presence of ions in a cell do to its water potential?
Lowers the water potential.
What happens to a plant cell as water enters it?
The cell vacuole enlarges and the cell becomes turgid.
What happens to a plant cell as water leaves it?
The vacuole shrinks and the cell becomes plasmolysed.
What happens when a red blood cell is placed in an isotonic solution?
Osmosis doesn’t occur so there is no net movement of particles.
What will happen if a red blood cell is placed in a solution with a low solute concentration?
Osmosis will occur and the red blood cell will swell and possibly burst.
What will happen if a red blood cell is placed in a solution with a high solute concentration?
Osmosis will occur and the red blood cell will shrink and shrivel.
