Question

defined: diffusion of water from a high to low concentration. - distilled water - 100% pure h₂o - no solutes - salt water - high solutes 1) what do all three cells have in common? gain water (swell) 2) relative to the environment, which cell has the steepest concentration gradient? 3) which cell will reach equilibrium the fastest? cell a: 60% water, 40% solutes cell b: 50% water, 50% solutes cell c: 70% water, 30% solute multiple - choice question 2) relative to the environment, which cell has the steepest concentration gradient?

Explanation:

Step1: Understand osmosis principle

Osmosis is the movement of water from high - water concentration to low - water concentration. The steeper the concentration gradient of water (or solutes), the faster the rate of osmosis.

Step2: Analyze water concentration in cells and environment

Assume the environment has a certain water and solute concentration. For cell A with 60% water and 40% solutes, cell B with 50% water and 50% solutes, and cell C with 70% water and 30% solutes. If the environment has a water concentration between these values, the concentration gradient is calculated as the difference in water (or solute) concentration between the cell and the environment.

Step3: Determine the steepest gradient

The greater the difference in water concentration between the cell and the environment, the steeper the concentration gradient. If the environment has a water concentration, say 55%. For cell A, the water - concentration difference is |60 - 55| = 5. For cell B, it is |50 - 55|= 5. For cell C, it is |70 - 55| = 15. So cell C has the steepest concentration gradient.

Step4: Determine the cell reaching equilibrium fastest

The cell with the steepest concentration gradient will reach equilibrium fastest. Since cell C has the steepest concentration gradient, it will reach equilibrium fastest.

Answer:

1. Cell C has the steepest concentration gradient relative to the environment.
2. Cell C will reach equilibrium the fastest.