Question

visual reading tool: passive transport
diffusion is the movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. osmosis is the diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane. study the beakers at the right. note changes in water levels and solute particles.

1. for both scenarios, label each of the solutions on each side of the membrane as either hypertonic, hypotonic, or isotonic.
2. which of the two scenarios can cause cells to burst when they are placed in a hypotonic solution?

Explanation:

Step1: Recall solution - type definitions

A hypertonic solution has a higher solute concentration than the other side, a hypotonic solution has a lower solute concentration, and an isotonic solution has the same solute concentration.

Step2: Analyze Diffusion of Solute Particles

In the "Diffusion of Solute Particles" scenario, as solute particles move from left - to - right, assume the left side is initially hypertonic (higher solute concentration) and the right side is hypotonic. After equilibrium, both sides are isotonic.

Step3: Analyze Osmosis scenario

In the "Osmosis" scenario, water moves. If water moves into a cell (from a hypotonic solution to the cell), the cell can burst. Here, the side with less solute (more water) is hypotonic, and the side with more solute is hypertonic. Initially, the side with more water is hypotonic and the side with more solute is hypertonic, and at equilibrium, they become isotonic.

Step4: Answer question 2

When cells are placed in a hypotonic solution, water moves into the cells. In the Osmosis scenario, water moves from the hypotonic side (more water, less solute) to the hypertonic side. This influx of water into cells placed in a hypotonic solution can cause them to burst.

Answer:

1. In the "Diffusion of Solute Particles" scenario: Initially left - side is hypertonic, right - side is hypotonic; at equilibrium both sides are isotonic. In the "Osmosis" scenario: Initially the side with more water is hypotonic and the side with more solute is hypertonic; at equilibrium both sides are isotonic.
2. The Osmosis scenario.