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Chapter 13: Problem 43

What is osmosis? What is a semipermeable membrane?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Osmosis is the spontaneous net movement of solvent from a region of low solute concentration, through a semipermeable membrane, to an area of high solute concentration. A semipermeable membrane is a type of biological or synthetic, polymeric membrane that will allow certain molecules or ions to pass through it by osmosis. Examples of both can be found in cells within the body.

Step by step solution

01

Define Osmosis

Osmosis is the spontaneous net movement of solvent (most commonly water) from a region of low solute concentration, through a semipermeable membrane, to an area of high solute concentration with the aim to equalize the solute concentrations on the two sides.
02

Give examples of Osmosis

Examples of osmosis can be found in our daily life. When a raisin is placed in a cup of water, it puffs up due to osmosis. In a biological context, osmosis is vitally important for cell survival. Cells are always trying to achieve osmotic balance.
03

Define Semipermeable Membrane

A semipermeable membrane is a type of biological or synthetic, polymeric membrane that will allow certain molecules or ions to pass through it by osmosis.
04

Give examples of Semipermeable Membrane

In biological systems, the most common example of a semipermeable membrane would be the cell membrane. In a synthetic context, it could be a sheet of plastic with small holes in it.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Calculate the molality of each of the following aqueous solutions: (a) \(2.50 \mathrm{M} \mathrm{NaCl}\) solution (density of solution \(=1.08 \mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{mL}\) ), (b) 48.2 percent by mass KBr solution.

What is solvation? What are the factors that influence the extent to which solvation occurs? Give two examples of solvation, including one that involves ion-dipole interaction and another in which dispersion forces come into play.

Solutions \(A\) and \(B\) containing the same solute have osmotic pressures of 2.4 atm and 4.6 atm, respectively, at a certain temperature. What is the osmotic pressure of a solution prepared by mixing equal volumes of \(\mathrm{A}\) and \(\mathrm{B}\) at the same temperature?

Give two examples of a volatile liquid and two examples of a nonvolatile liquid.

Consider two aqueous solutions, one of sucrose \(\left(\mathrm{C}_{12} \mathrm{H}_{22} \mathrm{O}_{11}\right)\) and the other of nitric acid \(\left(\mathrm{HNO}_{3}\right)\) both of which freeze at \(-1.5^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). What other properties do these solutions have in common?
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