Question 1

Which of the following best describes the process of osmosis?

Accepted Answer

The movement of water molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration through a selectively permeable membrane.

Question 2

A red blood cell is placed in a solution with a NaCl concentration much lower than that inside the cell. What will most likely happen to the cell?

Accepted Answer

The cell will swell and may burst as water enters the cell.

Question 3

Which of the following molecules would most likely cross the plasma membrane by simple diffusion?

Accepted Answer

O$$_2 ($$oxygen gas)

Question 4

Dialysis tubing is used in the lab to model a biological membrane. Which of the following statements about dialysis tubing is correct?

Accepted Answer

It is selectively permeable, allowing only molecules smaller than about 200 Daltons to diffuse.

Question 5

Which factor would increase the rate of diffusion of a dye in agar?

Accepted Answer

Decreasing the concentration of agar (making it less solid).

Question 6

A cell is placed in a hypertonic solution. What is the direction of net water movement and what is the likely effect on the cell?

Accepted Answer

Net water movement is out of the cell; the cell will shrink.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes facilitated diffusion?

Accepted Answer

Movement of molecules down their concentration gradient with the help of membrane proteins, without energy input.

Question 8

In a dialysis experiment, a bag containing 40% glucose is placed in a beaker of distilled water. After one hour, the bag gains mass. What is the most likely explanation?

Accepted Answer

Water diffused into the bag due to osmosis.

Question 9

Which of the following statements about active transport is correct?

Accepted Answer

Active transport requires energy, usually in the form of ATP.

Question 10

A solution is described as hypertonic relative to the inside of a cell. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

The solution has a higher solute concentration than the cell.

Question 11

Which of the following best explains why potassium permanganate diffuses faster than methylene blue in agar at room temperature?

Accepted Answer

Potassium permanganate has a lower molecular weight.

Question 12

Which of the following molecules would NOT be able to pass through the pores of dialysis tubing?

Accepted Answer

Starch

Question 13

A patient receives an intravenous (IV) solution that is hypotonic compared to their blood plasma. What is a possible consequence?

Accepted Answer

Red blood cells may swell and burst due to water entering the cells.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the movement of water at equilibrium across a selectively permeable membrane?

Accepted Answer

Water moves in both directions, but there is no net movement.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of movement against a concentration gradient?

Accepted Answer

Na$$^+$$ being pumped out of a neuron using ATP.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about the plasma membrane is correct?

Accepted Answer

It is selectively permeable, allowing some molecules to pass while blocking others.

Question 17

A dialysis bag containing 10% glucose is placed in a beaker containing 10% glucose. What will happen to the mass of the bag after one hour?

Accepted Answer

There will be no net change in mass.

Question 18

Which of the following best explains why it is more difficult to dissolve sugar in iced tea than in hot tea?

Accepted Answer

The rate of diffusion is slower at lower temperatures.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the role of aquaporins in the plasma membrane?

Accepted Answer

They facilitate the transport of water molecules across the membrane.

Question 20

A cell is placed in an isotonic solution. What will happen to the cell?

Accepted Answer

There will be no net movement of water and the cell will remain the same size.

Osmosis and Diffusion: Study Notes for Introductory Chemistry

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards