Osmosis Flashcards

All 5 cards in this deck

What is osmosis?

The movement of water molecules from a dilute solution (high water concentration) to a concentrated solution (low water concentration) through a partially permeable membrane.

True or false? A red blood cell placed in pure water will shrink.

False. Water moves into the cell by osmosis, down the concentration gradient, and the cell bursts (lyses).

Why do plant cells not burst when placed in pure water?

They have a cell wall, which is strong/rigid and provides support; the cells become turgid as water enters the vacuole.

What happens to plant cells placed in a concentrated salt solution?

They lose water by osmosis through the partially permeable membrane, so they shrink, lose mass and become plasmolysed.

What is a partially permeable membrane?

A membrane that lets small molecules such as water pass through but stops larger ones such as sucrose.