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Osmosis and Diffusion in Anatomy & Physiology

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  • What is osmosis?

    Osmosis is the passive movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration.

  • What is diffusion?

    Diffusion is the passive movement of solutes from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

  • How do you determine if a solution is isotonic, hypertonic, or hypotonic?

    Compare the solute concentration of the solution to the cell. Isotonic means equal solute concentration, hypertonic means higher solute concentration outside the cell, and hypotonic means lower solute concentration outside the cell.

  • In osmosis, which direction does water move in a hypertonic solution?

    Water moves out of the cell to the area of higher solute concentration.

  • In osmosis, which direction does water move in a hypotonic solution?

    Water moves into the cell where solute concentration is higher.

  • What happens to a cell in an isotonic solution?

    There is no net movement of water; the cell maintains its normal shape.

  • What is the direction of solute movement in diffusion?

    Solutes move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

  • What type of transport moves substances against their concentration gradient?

    Active transport moves substances against their concentration gradient using energy.

  • What type of transport moves substances down their concentration gradient without energy?

    Passive transport moves substances down their concentration gradient without energy.

  • How do you determine the tonicity of a solution relative to a cell?

    Look at the solute concentration of the solution compared to the cell's solute concentration.

  • In the worksheet, what is the key factor to decide if movement is osmosis or diffusion?

    Movement of water indicates osmosis; movement of solute indicates diffusion.

  • What happens to a cell placed in a hypertonic solution?

    The cell loses water and shrinks due to water moving out.

  • What happens to a cell placed in a hypotonic solution?

    The cell gains water and may swell or burst due to water moving in.

  • Why is it important to consider solute concentration rather than water concentration when determining tonicity?

    Because water moves toward higher solute concentration, solute concentration determines the direction of water movement.

  • What is the difference between passive and active transport?

    Passive transport requires no energy and moves substances down their gradient; active transport requires energy to move substances against their gradient.