Multiple Choice
Which of the following diagrams best represents the process of osmosis across a selectively permeable membrane?
19
views
6. The Membrane
Osmosis
Struggling with General Biology?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
You have chosen to treat cells with a hypertonic saline solution. What is the most likely effect of this treatment on animal cells?
A
There will be no net movement of water into or out of the cells.
B
The cells will gain water and swell until they burst.
C
The cells will actively pump water into themselves to maintain size.
D
The cells will lose water and shrink due to osmosis.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of tonicity: Tonicity refers to the relative concentration of solutes in a solution compared to the solutes inside a cell. A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes outside the cell than inside the cell.
Recall the principle of osmosis: Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration to equalize solute concentrations.
Analyze the effect of a hypertonic solution on animal cells: In a hypertonic environment, water will move out of the cell because the solute concentration is higher outside the cell. This results in the loss of water from the cell.
Consider the structural consequences for animal cells: As water leaves the cell, the cell will shrink, a process known as crenation. Animal cells lack a rigid cell wall, so they are particularly susceptible to changes in size and shape due to osmotic pressure.
Conclude the most likely effect: Based on the principles of tonicity and osmosis, treating animal cells with a hypertonic saline solution will cause them to lose water and shrink.
Related Videos
Related Practice
