Multiple Choice
In the context of passive transport (diffusion and osmosis), a red blood cell placed in a hypertonic medium will most likely:
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9. Transport Across Membranes
Passive Transport: Diffusion and Osmosis
Multiple Choice
In osmosis, water moves across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of which condition to an area of which condition?
A
Higher solute concentration (lower water potential) to lower solute concentration (higher water potential)
B
Lower water concentration to higher water concentration, regardless of solute
C
Lower solute concentration (higher water potential) to higher solute concentration (lower water potential)
D
Higher solute concentration to higher solute concentration until both sides are isotonic
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of osmosis: it is the movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane.
Recall that water moves from an area of higher water potential (which corresponds to lower solute concentration) to an area of lower water potential (which corresponds to higher solute concentration).
Recognize that water potential is influenced by solute concentration because solutes lower the free energy of water, thus lowering water potential.
Therefore, water moves from the side with lower solute concentration (higher water potential) to the side with higher solute concentration (lower water potential).
This movement continues until equilibrium is reached, often when both sides become isotonic, meaning they have equal solute concentrations and water potentials.
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