Osmosis and Water Potential

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to osmosis and water potential.

Osmosis

Movement of water molecules down its water potential gradient through a partially permeable membrane.

Water Potential (Ψ)

A special term used to describe the combined effects of water content, molecular movement, and applied pressure.

Aquaporins

Permanent protein channels that allow water molecules to pass through cell membranes.

Hypotonic solution

A solution with a higher concentration of water and higher water potential, causing cells to swell.

Hypertonic solution

A solution with a lower concentration of water and lower water potential, causing cells to shrink.

Isotonic solution

Solutions with the same concentration of water, resulting in no net movement of water.

Pressure potential (Ψp)

The pressure exerted by the cell wall against the cell's internal contents.

Solute potential (Ψs)

The potential of a solution to gain water, which decreases as solutes are added.

Turgid

The state of a plant cell when it is full of water and presses against the cell wall.

Flaccid

The state of a plant cell that loses water and does not exert pressure on the cell wall.

Plasmolysis

The process in which a plant cell membrane pulls away from the cell wall due to loss of water.

Water potential equation

The formula for calculating water potential is Ψ = Ψs + Ψp.

Water movement in osmosis

Water moves from an area of higher (less negative) water potential to an area of lower (more negative) water potential.

Concentration gradient

The difference in solute concentration across a membrane that drives water movement.