Osmosis is the diffusion of water
across a selectively permeable membrane. Water diffuses across a membrane from
the region of lower solute concentration to the region of higher solute
concentration until the solute concentration is equal on both sides.
H2O balance of Cells
• Tonicity
is the ability of a surrounding solution to cause
a cell to gain or lose water.
• Isotonic
solution: Solute concentration is the same as
that inside the cell; no net water movement across the plasma membrane.
• Hypertonic
solution: Solute concentration is greater than
that inside the cell; cell loses water.
• Hypotonic
solution: Solute concentration is less than that
inside the cell; cell gains water.
• Hypertonic or
hypotonic environments create osmotic problems for organisms.
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