Questions and Answers
What is osmosis best defined as?
The movement of water molecules across a membrane from an area of high water concentration to an area of lower concentration.
Which of the following will pass through a cell membrane most easily?
What happens to a red blood cell placed in a hypertonic medium?
It will shrink.
A 5% urea solution is hypotonic to a 10% urea solution.
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If a cell is placed in an isotonic medium, there will be no net movement of water.
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Study Notes
Osmosis Overview
- Defined as the movement of water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane.
- Water moves from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.
Membrane Permeability
- Small nonpolar molecules pass through cell membranes more easily than other types.
- Membrane permeability is crucial for substance transport in and out of cells.
Red Blood Cell Response
- A red blood cell in a hypertonic environment will experience osmosis and lose water, resulting in shrinkage.
- Understanding cell behavior in various solute concentrations is key in biology.
Urea Solutions Concentration
- A 5% urea solution is not hypotonic compared to a 10% urea solution.
- Hypertonic, isotonic, and hypotonic solutions affect cell volume in different ways.
Isotonic Conditions
- In an isotonic medium, there is no net movement of water molecules into or out of the cell.
- Cells maintain equilibrium, which is vital for homeostasis.
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Description
Test your understanding of osmosis with this quiz based on key concepts and definitions. Learn how water movement across membranes affects cells and their environments. Perfect for biology students looking to reinforce their knowledge.
