Osmosis definitions Flashcards
Osmosis definitions
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Osmosis The diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane from low to high solute concentration. Semipermeable membrane A barrier allowing certain small molecules to pass while blocking others like ions or large molecules. Solvent A substance, typically water, that dissolves solutes and moves across membranes in osmosis. Solute Particles dissolved in a solvent, affecting the direction of osmosis based on concentration. Concentration gradient The difference in solute concentration across a membrane, driving osmosis. Osmotic pressure The force required to stop solvent flow through a semipermeable membrane. Tonicity The relative concentration of solutes in solutions, determining solvent flow direction. Hypotonic solution A solution with lower solute concentration and osmotic pressure compared to another. Isotonic solution A solution with equal solute concentration and osmotic pressure as another. Hypertonic solution A solution with higher solute concentration and osmotic pressure compared to another. Equilibrium The state where solute concentrations are equal on both sides of a membrane, halting net solvent flow. Hemolysis The swelling and bursting of a cell due to excessive water intake in a hypotonic environment. Crenation The shrinking and dehydration of a cell due to water loss in a hypertonic environment. Intravenous solutions Fluids administered into veins, which must be isotonic to bodily fluids to prevent cell damage. Red blood cell A cell affected by osmotic conditions, swelling in hypotonic and shrinking in hypertonic environments.