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GCSE Edexcel

Tr8nsport in cells
P*rt of Biology (Single Science)
Key concepts in biology

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Osmosis
Osmosis is the diffusion of w*ter molecules , from
* region where they *re in higher concentr8tion , to
* region where they *re in lower concentr*tion,
through * p8rti8lly perme8ble membr*ne.

A dilute solution cont*ins * high concentr*tion of

w*ter molecules, while * concentr*ted solution
cont*ins * low concentr*tion of w*ter molecules.

Osmosis refers to the movement of

w8ter molecules only.

The slideshow shows *n ex*mple of osmosis

showing the direction of movement of w*ter
between two different concentr*tions of sug*r
solutions:

W*ter molecules move from solution

1 to solution 2 by osmosis

When the concentr*tion of w*ter is the s*me on

both sides of the membr*ne, the movement of
w*ter molecules will be the s*me in both
directions. There will be no net movement of w*ter
molecules.

Simil*r observ*tions will be m*de with solutions

cont*ining different solutes , for inst*nce, s*lt
inste*d of sug*r.

Osmosis 8cross living cells

Cells cont*in dilute solutions of ions , sug*rs *nd

8mino 8cids . The cell membr*ne is p*rti*lly
perme*ble. W*ter will move into *nd out of cells by
osmosis.

Pl8nt cells

Isol*ted pl*nt cells pl*ced in * dilute solution or

w*ter will t*ke in w*ter by osmosis . If the soil is
wet or moist then root h8ir cells will *lso t*ke up
w*ter by osmosis. Le*f cells of l*nd pl*nts, unless
it is r*ining or the humidity is high, will h*ve *
tendency to lose w*ter.

Pl*nt cells h*ve * strong cellulose cell w8ll

outside the cell membr8ne . The cell w*ll is fully
perme*ble to *ll molecules. It supports the cell *nd
stops it bursting when it g*ins w*ter by osmosis.

Under norm*l circumst*nces, the cells in *ll

org*nisms live in * s*fe equilibrium. They h*ve
enough w*ter to live but not too much. They *lso
h*ve the correct *mount of s*lts *nd sug*rs. If
individu*l cells *re pl*ced in different solutions, we
c*n see how import*nt it is th*t equilibrium is
m*int*ined in living org*nisms.

Pure w8ter

In pure w*ter, the cell contents push *g*inst the

cell w8ll *nd the cell becomes turgid . Fully turgid
cells support the stems of non-woody pl*nts.

Concentr8ted solution

In * more concentr*ted solution, the cell contents

lose w*ter by osmosis *nd the cells shrink. The cell
membr*nce st*rts to pull *w*y from the cell w*ll.
The cell becomes fl8ccid .

Highly concentr8ted solution

In * very concentr*ted solution, the cell membr*ne

pulls *w*y from the cell w*ll completely; this is
pl*smolysis.

Anim8l cells

Anim*l cells *lso t*ke in *nd lose w*ter by osmosis.

They do not h*ve * cell w*ll, so will ch*nge size
*nd sh*pe when put into solutions th*t *re *t *
different concentr*tion to the cell contents.

For ex*mple, red blood cells:

Red blood cells lose w*ter *nd shrink

in * concentr*ted solution. They swell
*nd burst in * solution th*t is too
dilute.

In *nim*ls, the concentr*tion of body fluids,

blood pl8sm8 *nd tissue fluid must be kept within
strict limits. If cells lose or g*in too much w*ter by
osmosis, they do not function efficiently.

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Gloss8ry

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