Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

It allows some substances to pass while restricting others based on their size, charge, or polarity.

Question 2

Osmosis is defined as:

Accepted Answer

The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration.

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

Osmosis is the passive movement of water down its concentration gradient across a semipermeable membrane.

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

If a cell is placed in an isotonic solution, what will happen to the movement of water across its membrane?

Accepted Answer

There will be no net movement of water; water moves in and out at equal rates.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Plant cells have a cell wall that provides structural support and prevents bursting.

Question 9

A cell with an internal solute concentration of 0.9% is placed in a solution with a solute concentration of 0.5%. 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 10

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates passive transport?

Accepted Answer

Oxygen diffuses from an area of high concentration to low concentration across a membrane.

Question 11

A freshwater protozoan is transferred to seawater. Predict what will happen to the protozoan and explain why.

Accepted Answer

It will lose water and shrink because seawater is hypertonic.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of osmosis?

Accepted Answer

It requires energy input from the cell.

Question 13

A cell is placed in a solution and begins to shrink. Which of the following best describes the tonicity of the solution relative to the cell?

Accepted Answer

The solution is hypertonic to the cell.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the direction of water movement during osmosis?

Accepted Answer

From an area of high water concentration to low water concentration.

Question 15

Which of the following is a real-life example of osmosis?

Accepted Answer

A wilted plant regaining turgor after being watered.

Question 16

A cell is placed in a solution and there is no net movement of water. Which equation best represents the relationship between the solute concentrations inside and outside the cell?

Accepted Answer

$$[	ext{solute}]_{	ext{inside}} = [	ext{solute}]_{	ext{outside}}$$

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

It regulates the balance of water and solutes, preventing excessive swelling or shrinking.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

The cells will swell and burst because water enters the cells by osmosis.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about diffusion and osmosis is correct?

Accepted Answer

Diffusion is the movement of solutes, while osmosis is the movement of water across a membrane.

Question 20

A cell is placed in a solution with a higher concentration of solutes than inside the cell. Which of the following best describes the net movement of water?

Accepted Answer

Water will move out of the cell.

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

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