Osmosis and Body Fluids 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 osmosis?

Osmosis is the movement of water particles from a more dilute solution to a more concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane.

What is meant by a partially permeable membrane?

It is a barrier that lets some small particles, like water, pass through, but stops larger particles from passing.

In which direction does water move during osmosis between two solutions of different concentration?

Water moves from the more dilute solution (higher water concentration) to the more concentrated solution (lower water concentration).

Why is osmosis important for body cells?

Osmosis controls how much water is inside cells so they keep the right shape and can work properly.

What happens to an animal cell placed in pure water, and why?

Water enters the cell by osmosis, so the cell swells and may burst because it does not have a cell wall.

What happens to an animal cell placed in a very concentrated salt or sugar solution, and why?

Water leaves the cell by osmosis, so the cell shrinks and becomes wrinkled (crenated).

What is tissue fluid?

Tissue fluid is the liquid that surrounds body cells. It comes from blood plasma and allows substances to move between the blood and the cells.

Why must the concentration of dissolved substances in blood plasma and tissue fluid be kept close to that inside cells?

So that water moves in and out of cells at the same rate, and cells do not gain or lose too much water.

What is meant by an isotonic solution in relation to body fluids?

An isotonic solution has the same concentration of dissolved substances as body cells and blood plasma, so there is no net movement of water by osmosis.

How can dehydration affect body cells through osmosis?

If body fluids become too concentrated, water moves out of cells by osmosis, so the cells shrink and do not work as well.

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