In this experiment, two solutions are placed on either side of a selectively permeable membrane. Water moves from the side of higher water concentration to the side of lower concentration until both solutions are isotonic. Diffusion and swelling occur during this process.
In this experiment, two solutions with different solute concentrations are placed on either side of a selectively permeable membrane. The solution with the higher solute concentration is hypertonic, while the solution with the lower solute concentration is hypotonic. Water will move from the side of higher water concentration to the side of lower concentration until both solutions are isotonic, reaching equilibrium.
During this process, diffusion and swelling occur. Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In this case, water molecules diffuse through the membrane from the hypotonic solution to the hypertonic solution, equalizing the concentrations. Swelling, on the other hand, happens when a cell takes in too much water. In a hypotonic solution, water moves into the cell by osmosis, causing it to swell and potentially rupture.
To answer the questions:
- Osmosis is the diffusion of water.
- Tonicity refers to the solute concentration of a solution compared to another solution, which determines the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane.
- In a hypotonic solution, water enters a cell by osmosis. If too much water enters, the cell may swell and rupture.
- A hypertonic solution causes water to leave a cell, leading to cell shrinkage. This can affect cellular processes and potentially disrupt their functionality.
- In an isotonic solution, there is no net movement of water into or out of the cell.