Multiple Choice
In osmosis, which property of water is most directly responsible for reducing edema by drawing water out of swollen tissues when a hypertonic solution is applied?
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14. Solutions
Osmosis
Multiple Choice
A semipermeable membrane is placed between the following solutions.
Which solution will increase in volume?
A
Solution A: 6.78% NaCl
B
Solution B: 12.7% NaCl
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the nature of the membrane: It is semipermeable, meaning it allows the solvent (usually water) to pass through but not the solute (NaCl in this case).
Compare the concentrations of NaCl in the two solutions: Solution A has 6.78% NaCl, and Solution B has 12.7% NaCl, so Solution B is more concentrated.
Understand osmosis: Water will move from the side with lower solute concentration (Solution A) to the side with higher solute concentration (Solution B) to try to equalize the solute concentrations on both sides.
Predict volume changes: Because water moves into Solution B, its volume will increase, while the volume of Solution A will decrease.
Conclude that Solution B will increase in volume due to the osmotic flow of water through the semipermeable membrane.
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