Multiple Choice
In a cell-biology context, which statement correctly describes how water moves via osmosis across a selectively permeable membrane?
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9. Transport Across Membranes
Passive Transport: Diffusion and Osmosis
Multiple Choice
In the context of passive transport and membrane permeability, what does a reverse osmosis device primarily remove from water?
A
Only large suspended particles, while leaving dissolved ions unchanged
B
Water molecules, while allowing salts and ions to pass through the membrane
C
Dissolved solutes such as ions and other small dissolved contaminants
D
Only dissolved gases such as and
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the principle of passive transport, which involves the movement of substances across a membrane without energy input, typically down their concentration gradient.
Recognize that reverse osmosis is a process where water is forced through a semipermeable membrane that blocks many solutes, including dissolved ions and small molecules, while allowing water molecules to pass.
Identify that the membrane in reverse osmosis is designed to remove dissolved solutes such as salts and other small contaminants, not just large particles or gases.
Recall that large suspended particles are typically removed by filtration methods other than reverse osmosis, and dissolved gases like O\_2 and CO\_2 can pass through membranes more easily than dissolved ions.
Conclude that the primary function of a reverse osmosis device is to remove dissolved solutes such as ions and other small dissolved contaminants from water, improving its purity.
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