Question

passive transport (diffusion & osmosis) - updated: water molecules can pass in/out of the cells. 1) what do all three cells have in common? gain water (swell) 2) relative to the environment, which cell has the steepest concentration gradient? cell c 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 defined: diffusion of water from a high to low concentration distilled water - 100% pure h2o - no solutes - salt water - high solutes

Explanation:

Step1: Determine concentration gradients

For cell A, it has 60% water and 40% solutes. For cell B, it has 50% water and 50% solutes. For cell C, it has 70% water and 30% solutes. The steeper the concentration - gradient between the cell and the environment, the faster the rate of osmosis.

Step2: Analyze water movement

The environment is assumed to have a certain water - solute ratio. Since the question doesn't specify the environment's ratio, assume a standard extracellular fluid - like situation. The greater the difference in water concentration between the cell and the environment, the steeper the gradient. Cell C has the highest water percentage among the three cells, so it has the greatest potential for water to move out (if the environment has lower water concentration) or in (if the environment has higher water concentration). The rate of osmosis is fastest when the concentration gradient is steepest.

Answer:

Cell C