Question 1

Which of the following best describes the property of selective permeability in biological membranes?

Accepted Answer

It allows some substances, but not others, to pass through the membrane.

Question 2

Osmosis is defined as:

Accepted Answer

The diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane.

Question 3

A red blood cell is placed in a hypotonic solution. What will most likely happen to the cell?

Accepted Answer

It will gain water and swell, possibly bursting.

Question 4

Which of the following statements about osmosis is correct?

Accepted Answer

Water moves from areas of low solute concentration to areas of high solute concentration.

Question 5

A plant cell is placed in a hypertonic solution. Predict the outcome for the cell.

Accepted Answer

The cell will lose water and undergo plasmolysis.

Question 6

Which equation correctly represents the relationship between solute concentration and water potential in osmosis?

Accepted Answer

$ \Psi = \Psi_s + \Psi_p $

Question 7

A cell is in an isotonic solution. Which of the following best describes the movement of water?

Accepted Answer

There is no net movement of water; water moves equally in both directions.

Question 8

Passive transport across biological membranes:

Accepted Answer

Moves substances down their concentration gradient without energy input.

Question 9

If a freshwater protozoan is placed in salt water, what will happen to its cells?

Accepted Answer

Cells will lose water and shrink.

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why animal cells burst in pure water but plant cells do not?

Accepted Answer

Plant cells have a rigid cell wall that prevents bursting.

Question 11

A cell with an internal solute concentration of 0.9% is placed in a solution with a solute concentration of 0.1%. What type of solution is the cell in, and what will happen?

Accepted Answer

The cell is in a hypotonic solution and will gain water.

Question 12

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of osmoregulation in living cells?

Accepted Answer

A paramecium expelling excess water using its contractile vacuole.

Question 13

Which of the following is true regarding the direction of water movement during osmosis?

Accepted Answer

Water moves from an area of high water concentration to an area of low water concentration.

Question 14

A medical technician accidentally places red blood cells in distilled water. What is the most likely outcome, and why?

Accepted Answer

Cells will swell and burst because water enters the cell due to osmosis.

Question 15

Which of the following best describes the effect of a hypertonic solution on an animal cell?

Accepted Answer

The cell will lose water and shrink.

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of passive transport?

Accepted Answer

It requires energy input from the cell.

Question 17

A cell is placed in a solution and neither swells nor shrinks. What can you conclude about the solution?

Accepted Answer

The solution is isotonic to the cell.

Question 18

Which of the following real-life scenarios is an example of osmosis?

Accepted Answer

Salt being sprinkled on a slug causing it to shrivel.

Question 19

If a plant cell is placed in distilled water, what prevents it from bursting?

Accepted Answer

The presence of a rigid cell wall.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why osmosis is important for cell survival?

Accepted Answer

It allows cells to regulate their internal water balance in response to external environments.

Biological Membranes and Osmosis: Structure, Function, and Cellular Effects

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