BIOL 1103 Lab - Diffusion and Osmosis

These flashcards cover key concepts of diffusion and osmosis as discussed in the BIOL 1103 lab lecture.

What is the primary function of the plasma membrane?

To regulate the movement of substances into and out of the cell.

What are the two primary mechanisms for transporting substances in and out of the cell?

Passive transport and active transport.

What is diffusion?

The random movement of molecules from regions of greater concentration to regions of lesser concentration until equilibrium is reached.

What is osmosis?

The movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane.

Define hypotonic solution.

A solution that has a lower concentration of solute than is present inside the cell.

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

The cell will empty and shrivel up, a process called crenation.

Define isotonic solution.

A solution that has equal concentrations of solute inside and outside the cell.

What is the energy source for active transport?

Cellular energy in the form of ATP.

What is endocytosis?

The process where a vesicle is formed by the pinching in of the cell membrane to bring substances into the cell.

Define exocytosis.

The process where a vesicle merges with the cell membrane to release contents outside the cell.

What is the definition of equilibrium in the context of diffusion?

The state where the concentration of molecules is equal in all areas.

What is cytolysis?

The bursting of a cell when it takes in too much water in a hypotonic solution.

What is plasmolysis?

The process where plant cells lose water in a hypertonic environment, causing their vacuoles to empty.

What are the three types of tonic solutions that can affect cells?

Hypotonic, hypertonic, and isotonic solutions.

Define solute, solvent, and solution.

Solute is the substance being dissolved, solvent is the substance in which a solute is dissolved, and solution is the mixture of solute in solvent.