Osmosis

Osmosis
Osmosis: the movement of water molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Cell membranes are completely permeable to water, therefore, the environment the cell is exposed to can have a dramatic effect on the cell.

Hypertonic Solutions: contain a high concentration of solute relative to another solution (e.g. the cell’s cytoplasm). When a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, the water diffuses out of the cell, causing the cell to shrivel.

Hypotonic Solutions: contain a low concentration of solute relative to another solution (e.g. the cell’s cytoplasm). When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, the water diffuses into the cell, causing the cell to swell and possibly explode.

Isotonic Solutions: contain the same concentration of solute as an another solution (e.g. the cell’s cytoplasm). When a cell is placed in an isotonic solution, the water diffuses into and out of the cell at the same rate. The fluid that surrounds the body cells is isotonic.

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© Copyright 1999 Terry Brown. All rights reserved.