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level: Osmosis

Questions and Answers List

level questions: Osmosis

QuestionAnswer
what does high water potential meanthis means the solution has a high water concentration (so not very much solute dissolved in it)
what does low water potentialthis means the solution has a low water concentration (so lots of solute dissolved in it)
what kPa is pure waterwater potenital of 0 kPa , and the value decreases (becomes more negative) as more solute is added
osmosis meaningdiffusion of water molecules across a partially permeable membrane from an area of higher water potential to an area of lower water potential.
what happens in osmosisWater molecules diffuse down a water potential gradient until the water potential is equal on both sides of the membrane (equilibrium).
hypotonic solutions in animal cellsA hypotonic solution has a higher water potential than the cell. Water molecules move into the cell. The cell swells and bursts.
isotonic solutions in animal cellsAn isotonic solution has the same water potential as the cell. There is no net movement of water into or out of the cell. The cell stays the same size.
hypertonic solutions in animal cellsA hypertonic solution has a lower water potential than the cell. Water molecules move out of the cell. The cell shrinks.
hypotnic solutions in plant cellA hypotonic solution has a higher water potential than the cell. Water molecules move into the cell. The cell swells and becomes turgid.
isontonic solutions in plant cellsAn isotonic solution has the same water potential as the cell. There is no net movement of water into or out of the cell. The cell stays the same size.
hypertonic solutons in plant cellsA hypertonic solution has a lower water potential than the cell. Water molecules move out of the cell. The cell shrinks and becomes plasmolysed.
Factors affecting the rate of osmosisTemperature - At higher temperatures, water molecules have more kinetic energy and diffuse faster. Water potential gradient - The steeper the gradient, the faster the rate of osmosis. Thickness of membrane - Water molecules travel shorter distances through thin exchange surfaces, so diffuse faster. Surface area - Larger surface areas mean more water molecules can cross the membrane at once, making osmosis faster.