Lab 4-diffusion and osmosis

Diffusion

The process by which substances move from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Osmosis

A special type of diffusion; it is the diffusion of water across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Semi-permeable membrane

A membrane that allows certain molecules or ions to pass through it by diffusion and occasionally by specialized facilitated diffusion.

Isotonic solution

A solution that has equal concentrations of solutes compared to another solution, resulting in no net movement of water.

Hypotonic solution

A solution that has a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution, causing water to move into cells.

Hypertonic solution

A solution that has a higher concentration of solutes compared to another solution, leading to water moving out of cells.

Concentration gradient

The difference in concentration of a substance across a space; substances move from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.

Molecular weight

The weight of a molecule, typically measured in grams per mole (g/mol), which can influence the rate of diffusion.

Temperature

A measure that can affect the rate of movement of molecules; higher temperatures generally increase molecular movement.

Solute concentration

The amount of solute present in a solution, which determines whether a solution is isotonic, hypotonic, or hypertonic.