111k views
5 votes
Compare and contrast diffusion and osmosis why don't red blood cells shrink?

1 Answer

3 votes

Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

Diffusion is the net movement as a result of random motion of its molecules or ions from its region of higher concentration to the region of lower concentration.

It is set up by the movement of the molecules or ions down the concentration gradient, which is caused by the natural kinetic energy of the molecules or ions,

it is directly proportional to the temperature, concentration gradient and surface area exposed, but inversely proportional to the diffusion distance.

this is Fick's law.

Osmosis is the special type of diffusion in which water molecules only move from a region of higher water potential, to the region of lower water potential through a semipermeable membrane.( the latter is a barrier that allow certain molecules only to pass through it while restricting other larger molecules).

Osmosis depends on the presence of Water potential, Semi permeable membrane, only takes place in living cells, compare to diffusion which takes place in both living and non- living, both involve movement of molecules and concentration gradients

When Red Blood Cells are placed in hypo tonic solution e,g of 0.1 % Nacl ,( of higher water potential, but lower solute potential) they absorbs water from the external environment by osmosis, The cells swells, and burst this is HEAMOLYSIS. RBC swells but do not shrink, since no cell wall to pull the plasma membrane from as in plant cells of PLASMOLYSIS.

User Valicos
by
4.6k points