Multiple Choice
In the context of passive transport (diffusion and osmosis), a red blood cell placed in pure water would most likely do what?
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9. Transport Across Membranes
Passive Transport: Diffusion and Osmosis
Multiple Choice
In the context of passive transport (diffusion and osmosis), what happens to an animal cell placed in an isotonic solution relative to its cytosol?
A
It swells and may lyse because water moves into the cell by osmosis.
B
It actively pumps water out to maintain homeostasis, causing the cell to shrink.
C
It shrinks (crenates) because water moves out of the cell by osmosis.
D
It maintains its normal size because there is no net movement of water across the plasma membrane.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of passive transport, specifically osmosis, which is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.
Define an isotonic solution as one where the solute concentration outside the cell is equal to the solute concentration inside the cell's cytosol.
Recognize that in an isotonic environment, because the solute concentrations are equal, there is no net movement of water into or out of the animal cell.
Conclude that since water movement is balanced, the animal cell maintains its normal size and shape without swelling or shrinking.
Recall that this balance is crucial for animal cells because they lack a rigid cell wall, so maintaining isotonic conditions prevents damage from excessive water movement.
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