Question

If water were flowing from area a to area b via osmosis, through a semipermeable membrane, we might expect area b to be ________ in solute concentration compared to

a.

Answer 1

Area B would have a higher solute concentration compared to area A if water were to flow from area A to area B through a semipermeable membrane via osmosis, as water moves towards the hypertonic side to balance concentration levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

If water were flowing from area A to area B via osmosis, through a semipermeable membrane, we might expect area B to be higher in solute concentration compared to area A.

Osmosis is the diffusion of water through a semipermeable membrane down its concentration gradient. This means that water moves from an area where it is more concentrated to an area where it is less concentrated, in an attempt to equalize concentration levels on both sides of the membrane. If the solute cannot pass through the membrane, but water can, then water will move towards the side with the higher solute concentration in an effort to balance out the difference in water concentration. This side is typically referred to as hypertonic.

For example, imagine two sugar-water solutions of different concentrations, separated by a membrane that allows the passage of water but not sugar. Osmosis will cause water to move towards the higher sugar concentration, effectively diluting that solution until the osmotic pressure is balanced by the back pressure.

Answer 2

If water were flowing from area A to area B via osmosis, through a semipermeable membrane, we might expect are B to be high in solute concentration compared to A. Osmosis is the process by which water moves from a region of a high concentration to a region of low concentration through a semipermeable membrane. It means area A is hypotonic (more water molecules than solute molecules) while area B is hypertonic (more solute molecules than water molecules).