Lab 4_ Pre-Lab

Diffusion

The net movement of molecules or ions from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Osmosis

The passive movement of water through a semipermeable membrane, from an area of high water concentration to an area of low water concentration.

Concentration Gradient

The difference in concentrations between adjoining regions; molecules move down this gradient (from high to low concentration).

Hypertonic

A solution that has a higher concentration of solute compared to another solution.

Hypotonic

A solution that has a lower concentration of solute compared to another solution.

Isotonic

A solution that has the same concentration of solute as another solution, resulting in no net movement of water.

Tonicity

The measure of osmotic pressure exerted by the relative concentration of solutes in a solution.

Crenation

The shrinking of a cell due to water loss when placed in a hypertonic solution.

Lysis

The bursting of a cell due to an influx of water when placed in a hypotonic solution.

Hydrostatic Pressure

The pressure exerted by water within a cell that influences water movement across a membrane.

Dialysis Tubing

An artificial semipermeable membrane used to study diffusion and osmosis.

Turgid

The state of a plant cell when it is full of water and pressure is exerted on the cell wall.

Flaccid

The state of a plant cell when it loses water and becomes limp.