Water :

Diffusion and Osmosis

I. Water is absolutely essential for all living organisms

Most organisms are comprised of at least 70% or more water. Some plants, like a head of lettuce, are made up of nearly
95% water;

When organisms go dormant, they loose most of their water. For example, seeds and buds are typically less than 10%
water

Water is the limiting resource for crop productivity in most agricultural systems Earth is the water planet (that's why astronomers get so excited about finding water in space).

II. Water is polar and readily forms hydrogen bonds

Cohesion, adhesion capillary action

III. The Properties of Water-1

a liquid at physiological temperatures (0 100C) high heat of vaporization cooling system high specific heat (heat capacity). thermal buffer high surface tension capillary action, a meniscus forms. (negative presssure tension) a universal solvent. high tensile strength and incompressibility water is good for hydraulic systems and produces positive pressures (hydrostatic pressures). This pressure provides the driving force for cell growth and other plant movements transparent to light photosynthesize chemically inert. dissociates into protons and hydroxide ions. affects the shape, stability & properties of biological molecules.

Plant Physiology (Biology 327) - Dr. Stephen G. Saupe; College of St. Benedict/ St. John's University; Biology Department; Collegeville, MN 56321

IV. Functions of Water

a major component of cells a solvent for the uptake and transport of materials a good medium for biochemical reactions a reactant in many biochemical reactions (i.e., photosynthesis) provides structural support via turgor pressure (i.e., leaves) the medium for the transfer of plant gametes (sperms swim to eggs in water, some aquatic plants shed pollen underwater) offspring (propagule) dispersal (think "coconut") plant movements are the result of water moving into and out of those parts (i.e., diurnal movements, stomatal opening, flower opening) cell elongation and growth thermal buffer

V. Acids and Bases

Water ionizes to form a hydrogen ion (or proton/H+) and hydroxide ion (OH-) An acid is a substance that increases the [H+], or as a proton donor. eg. HCl H+ + ClA base is a substance that increases the [OH-]; or from the perspective of a proton, a base is a substance that decreases the proton concentration; it is a proton acceptor. e.g. NaOH Na+ + OH- (accepts protons to make water) e.g. NH3 (ammonia) + H+ NH4+ (ammonium ion) pH increases, the [H+] decreases and the [OH-] increases pH decreases, the [H+] increases and the [OH-] decrease

VI. Living systems are very sensitive to pH

Organisms must maintain pH within tolerable ranges. This is a good example of homeostasis. A buffer is a solution that resists fluctuations in pH when additional OH- or H+ are added. A buffer maintain a constant pH and usually consist of a proton donor and a proton acceptor.

VII. Water Movement

There are two major ways to move molecules:

A. Bulk (or Mass) Flow. : mass movement of molecules in response to a pressure gradient, from high to low pressure, following a pressure gradient. B. Diffusion : spontaneous, random movement of molecules from an area of high free energy (higher concentration) to one of low free energy (lower concentration) concentration gradient. Does not require energy (exergonic). Net diffusion stops when concentration on both sides equal (if crossing a membrane) or when there is a uniform distribution of particles. When equilibrium is reached : Molecules continue
to move, but no net change in concentration.

Factors influencing the rate of diffusion

Ficks Law Jv = (C1 - C2) r

Diffusion rate (Jv), concentration gradient (C1 C2) and resistance (r)
1.

2. 3. 4. 5.

Concentration Gradient. directly proportional to the concentration gradient, indirectly proportional to resistance, inversely proportional to distance traveled Molecular Speed : directly proportional to temperature and indirectly related to molecular weight Temperature Pressure Solute effect on the chemical potential of the solvent. Solute particles decrease the free energy of a solvent. The critical factor is the number of particles, not charge or particle size.

Diffusion

Osmosis
Osmosis : the diffusion of a solvent (typically water) across a membrane

Dialysis : the diffusion of solute across a semipermeable membrane

Osmosis
- Osmosis - diffusion of water. - Osmosis affects the turgidity of cells, different solution can affect the cells internal water amounts

Contractiles Vacuoles are found in freshwater microorganisms - they pump out excess water Turgor pressure occurs in plants cells as their central vacuoles fill with water.