Notes on Osmosis and Solutions

Introduction to Solutions

• Definition: Solutions consist of a solute (e.g., salt or sugar) dissolved in a solvent (e.g., water).

Experiment with Solutions

• Setup: A tube with a membrane separates two solutions:
  • Right Solution: Higher concentration of solute.
  • Left Solution: Lower concentration of solute.
• Observation: Over time:
  • Level of blue solution on the right increased.
  • Level of solution on the left decreased.
• Explanation: This phenomenon is due to osmosis.

What is Osmosis?

• Definition: Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a semi-permeable membrane (e.g., plasma membrane).
• Direction of Water Movement:
  • Water moves from areas of higher water concentration to lower water concentration.
  • Alternatively, water moves from areas of lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration.

Key Concept

• Water Follows Solute: Remember that water will always flow toward the area with a higher solute concentration.

Terms to Describe Relative Solute Concentrations

1. Hypertonic:
   • Solution with a higher solute concentration.
   • Water flows toward this solution.
2. Hypotonic:
   • Solution with a lower solute concentration.
   • Water leaves this solution by osmosis.
3. Isotonic:
   • Solutions with equal solute concentrations.
   • No net change in water amounts between the two solutions.

Real-life Examples of Osmosis

• Hypotonic Solution Effect on Blood Cells:
  • Blood cells in hypotonic solution burst due to water influx (cytoplasm has higher solute concentration than distilled water).
• Hypertonic Solution Effect on Egg:
  • Egg soaked in vinegar (shell removed) is placed in corn syrup (hypertonic solution).
  • The egg shrinks and becomes shriveled due to water loss by osmosis.

Conclusion

• Understanding osmosis is crucial for grasping how cells interact with their environments.
• For further practice, visit the interactive experience at biomanbio.com.

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