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Water moves via osmosis across plasma cell membranes in which direction? a. from an area with a high concentration of other solutes to a lower one b. from an area with a high concentration of water to one of lower concentration c. from an area with a low concentration of water to one of higher concentration. d. throughout the cytoplasm

Short Answer

Expert verified
Water moves from an area with a high concentration of water to one of lower concentration (option b).

Step by step solution

01

- Understand Osmosis

Osmosis is the process by which water moves across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.
02

- Identify the Direction of Water Movement

Water moves from an area where it is in high concentration to an area where it is in low concentration. This usually means it moves toward the area with a higher concentration of solutes.
03

- Evaluate the Given Options

Option (a) suggests movement from high solute concentration to lower, which is incorrect for water movement by osmosis. Option (b) is correct as it states water moves from high water concentration to lower. Option (c) suggests the opposite of osmosis. Option (d) is not specific enough.
04

- Choose the Correct Answer

Based on the principles of osmosis and evaluating the options, the correct answer is option (b): Water moves from an area with a high concentration of water to one of lower concentration.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Water Movement Across Membranes
In biology, understanding how water moves across cell membranes is crucial. This process is called osmosis. It involves the movement of water molecules through a membrane that selectively allows only certain substances to pass.
Imagine you have two compartments separated by a filter. This filter, or membrane, lets water pass but not larger molecules. On one side, there's a lot of water, and on the other, less water but more sugar (solute).
Water will move from the side with more water (higher concentration) to the side with less water (lower concentration). This movement continues until both sides have equal concentrations of water.
  • High water concentration to low water concentration
  • Equalizes water levels
This process balances the water on both sides of the membrane.
Selectively Permeable Membrane
A selectively permeable membrane is a biological membrane that controls what gets in and out of a cell. It allows some substances to pass while blocking others.
For example, the cell membrane is made up of a lipid bilayer that is fluid and flexible. It has specific proteins that act as gatekeepers, permitting the entry of essential nutrients and ejecting waste material.
  • Allows essential substances
  • Blocks unwanted substances
This selective permeability is crucial for maintaining a stable environment inside the cell, known as homeostasis.
Solute Concentration Gradient
The solute concentration gradient is the difference in solute concentration across a membrane. Solutes are particles like salts or sugars dissolved in water. When the concentration of these solutes is different on two sides of a membrane, it creates a concentration gradient.
Imagine you have a sugary solution on one side of a membrane and pure water on the other. There is a gradient because one side has more sugar (higher concentration) and the other has less (lower concentration).
  • High solute concentration one side
  • Low solute concentration other side
Osmosis moves water towards the higher solute concentration to balance it out. This balancing act is vital for various biological processes such as nutrient absorption and waste removal.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Which of the following is an example of passive transport across a membrane? a. the movement of \(\mathrm{H}^{+}\) into a thylakoid disc during photosynthesis b. the uptake of glucose in the intestine c. the uptake of mineral ions into root hair cells of d. the movement of water from a nephron into the collecting duct of the kidney

One type of mutation in the CFTR protein prevents the transport of chloride ions through the channel. Which of the following is most likely to be observed in the lungs of patients with this mutation? $$ \begin{array}{l}{\text { a. dehydrated epithelial cells }} \\ {\text { b. dehydrated mucus }} \\ {\text { c. mucus with excess water }} \\ {\text { d. mucus with high electrolyte concentration }}\end{array} $$

Which of the following questions can be asked about organisms that live in fresh water? a. Will their bodies take in too much water? b. Can they control their tonicity? c. Can they survive in salt water? d. Will their bodies lose too much water to their environment?

Why is it advantageous for the plasma membrane to be fluid in nature? a. Fluidity allows greater flexibility to the cell and motion of membrane components required for transport. b. Fluidity helps only in transport of some materials, and does not contribute to the flexibility. c. Fluidity helps in maintaining the pH of intracellular fluid, and helps in maintaining the physiological pH of the cell. d. Fluidity helps in providing mechanical strength to the plasma membrane.

Both of the regular intravenous solutions administered in medicine, normal saline and lactated Ringer's solution, are isotonic. Why is this important? a. Isotonic solutions maintain equilibrium and avoid the exchange of materials to or from the blood. b. Isotonic solutions disrupt equilibrium and allow better exchange of materials in the blood. c. Isotonic solutions increase the \(\mathrm{pH}\) of blood and allow better absorption of saline in blood. d. Isotonic solutions decrease the pH of the blood and avoid the exchange of materials to or from the blood.

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