Water Potential Flashcards

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Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

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What is water potential?

Water potential is a measure of how likely water is to move from one place to another.

In which direction does water move in terms of water potential?

Water moves from a region of high water potential to a region of low water potential.

Which has the highest water potential: pure water or a salt solution?

Pure water has the highest water potential.

What happens to water potential when you dissolve solute, like salt or sugar, in water?

Adding solute lowers the water potential of the solution.

How would you describe the water potential of a dilute solution?

A dilute solution has a high water potential because it has a high concentration of water and little solute.

How would you describe the water potential of a concentrated solution?

A concentrated solution has a low water potential because it has less free water and more solute.

If a cell gains water by osmosis, what does this tell you about the water potential outside the cell?

The solution outside the cell has a higher water potential than inside the cell, so water moves in.

If a cell loses water by osmosis, what does this tell you about the water potential outside the cell?

The solution outside the cell has a lower water potential than inside the cell, so water moves out.

Why is water potential an important idea in biology?

Water potential helps us predict which way water will move during osmosis across cell membranes.