Question 1

Which of the following best describes osmosis?

Accepted Answer

The net movement of water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane from an area of high water concentration to an area of low water concentration.

Question 2

In the osmosis experiment with dialysis bags containing 25%, 50%, and 75% Karo syrup solutions, which bag would you expect to gain the most weight after 20 minutes in distilled water, and why?

Accepted Answer

The 75% Karo syrup bag, because the concentration gradient for water is greatest, causing more water to move into the bag.

Question 3

Which of the following best explains why potassium permanganate diffused farther than methylene blue in the agar plate experiment?

Accepted Answer

Potassium permanganate has a lower molecular weight, so its molecules move faster and diffuse farther.

Question 4

A red blood cell is placed in a solution and begins to swell and eventually bursts. What type of solution is the cell in, and what is the term for this process?

Accepted Answer

Hypotonic solution; hemolysis

Question 5

During the dialysis experiment, which of the following substances would you expect to find in the beaker water after 20 minutes, and why?

Accepted Answer

Glucose and NaCl, because their molecules are small enough to pass through the dialysis membrane.

Question 6

Which of the following best defines Brownian movement?

Accepted Answer

The random vibratory movement of small particles suspended in a fluid, caused by collisions with solvent molecules.

Question 7

A dialysis bag containing a mixture of NaCl, glucose, and starch is placed in distilled water. After 20 minutes, Benedict's test on the beaker water is positive. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

Glucose has diffused out of the bag into the beaker water.

Question 8

Which of the following equations correctly represents the relationship for osmotic pressure ($$\Pi) in $$terms of solute concentration ($$C$$), gas constant ($$R$$), and temperature ($$T$$)?

Accepted Answer

$$\Pi = CRT$$

Question 9

A patient receives an intravenous (IV) solution that is hypertonic relative to their blood plasma. What is the most likely effect on their red blood cells?

Accepted Answer

The cells will lose water and undergo crenation.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes a concentration gradient?

Accepted Answer

A difference in the concentration of a substance between two regions.

Question 11

In the osmosis experiment, why was the greatest weight gain observed in the first 10-minute period?

Accepted Answer

The concentration gradient was greatest at the start, so the rate of osmosis was highest.

Question 12

Which of the following statements about diffusion is correct?

Accepted Answer

Diffusion is the net movement of particles from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Question 13

A red blood cell is placed in an isotonic solution. What will happen to the cell?

Accepted Answer

There will be no net movement of water, and the cell will retain its original shape.

Question 14

Which of the following best explains why starch does not pass through the dialysis membrane in the experiment?

Accepted Answer

Starch molecules are too large to pass through the pores of the dialysis membrane.

Question 15

If a cell is placed in a solution and water moves out of the cell, what can you conclude about the solution?

Accepted Answer

The solution is hypertonic relative to the cell.

Question 16

Which of the following factors would increase the rate of diffusion of a solute in a liquid?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the temperature of the liquid.

Question 17

A dialysis bag containing 4 mL of 50% Karo syrup is placed in 200 mL of distilled water. After 20 minutes, the bag has gained weight. What is the most likely explanation?

Accepted Answer

Water moved into the bag by osmosis due to the higher solute concentration inside the bag.

Question 18

Which of the following is the best example of dialysis in a medical context?

Accepted Answer

The use of a machine to remove waste products from the blood by passing it through a semi-permeable membrane.

Question 19

Which of the following terms describes the shrinking of red blood cells when placed in a hypertonic solution?

Accepted Answer

Crenation

Question 20

A student observes that the diameter of the diffusion area for potassium permanganate is larger than that for methylene blue after the same period. Which property of potassium permanganate is most responsible for this observation?

Accepted Answer

Lower molecular weight

Osmosis, Diffusion, and Dialysis: Fundamental Concepts in Chemistry and Physiology

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