Osmosis and Water Concentration in Cells

Introduction

• Topics Covered:
  • Understanding osmosis
  • Water concentration
  • Application to cells

Recap: Diffusion

• Definition: Net movement of particles from higher concentration to lower concentration.
• Examples:
  • Oxygen or glucose molecules diffusing into a cell.
• Recommendation: Review diffusion if not already confident.

Osmosis

• Definition: Special case of diffusion concerning water molecules.
• Key Points:
  • Movement across a partially permeable membrane.
  • From higher water concentration to lower water concentration.

Understanding Water Concentration

• Concept: Amount of water compared to solutes (sugars or salts) dissolved.
• Solutes: Molecules like sugars or salts dissolved in water.
• Example:
  • Two beakers with equal water.
  • Left beaker with 1 solute; right beaker with 3 solutes.
  • Right beaker: Higher solute concentration, lower water concentration.
  • Left beaker: Lower solute concentration, higher water concentration.
• Conclusion: Concentration is determined by the proportion of water to solutes, not volume of water.

Application to Cells

• Structure: Cell interior and exterior with a partially permeable membrane.
• Example Scenario:
  • Inside cell: Many water particles, some solute particles.
  • Outside cell: Almost pure water, few solute particles.
• Water Movement:
  • Higher water concentration outside the cell.
  • Water diffuses into the cell (osmosis).

Additional Information

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