osmosis vocab- blue

aquaporin

a specialized channel protein that facilitates the rapid transport of water molecules across a cell membrane during osmosis

hypertonic

a solution with a higher solute concentration compared to the inside of a cell, causing water to leave the cell and potentially leading to shrinkage (crenation in animals or plasmolysis in plant cells)

hypotonic

a solution with a lower solute concentration compared to the inside of a cell, causing water to enter the cell and potentially leading to swelling or lysis

isotonic

a solution with an equal solute concentration to the inside of a cell, resulting in no net water movement across the membrane

lysis

the bursting or rupture of a cell due to the excessive water intake, often occurring in hypotonic solutions

osmolarity

the measure of solute concentration in a solution, typically expressed as osmoles per liter(Osm/L), which determines water movement

osmosis

the passive diffusion of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration

solute potential

a measure of the effect of solute concentration on water potential; more solutes lower the solute potential, reducing the tendency of water to move into an area

tonicity

the ability of a surrounding solution to cause a cell to gain or lose water, influenced by solute concentration and membrane permeability