Question 1: Define osmosis in your own words.

Answer: Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Question 2: Explain why osmosis is considered a passive process.

Answer: Osmosis is considered passive because it does not require energy; it relies on the natural movement of water molecules along a concentration gradient.

Question 1: Calculate the osmotic pressure (π) exerted by a solution with a solute concentration of 0.5 mol/L at 25°C. Use the formula π = iCRT, where i=1 for sodium chloride, C = concentration, R = 0.0821 L·atm/(mol·K), T = temperature in Kelvin.

Answer: π = 1 * 0.5 mol/L * 0.0821 L·atm/(mol·K) * 298 K = 12.23 atm

Question 2: If a red blood cell is placed in a solution with a solute concentration of 1.0 mol/L and the cell's internal solution has a concentration of 0.3 mol/L, determine whether water will move into or out of the cell.

Answer: Water will move out of the cell because the external solution has a higher solute concentration than the cell's internal solution.

Question 1: Describe a simple experiment to demonstrate osmosis using potatoes. Mention variables you would control and safety precautions.

Answer: Cut potato slices and place them in solutions of different salt concentrations. Control variables include temperature and potato size. Safety precautions involve handling sharp knives carefully and wearing gloves when handling solutions.

Question 2: Explain how osmosis is important in medical treatments such as IV therapy.

Answer: Osmosis helps regulate water balance in cells during IV therapy by ensuring fluids move appropriately between blood plasma and body cells, preventing dehydration or swelling.

Question 1: A solution with a salt concentration of 0.4 mol/L causes a plant cell to lose water, while a solution with 0.1 mol/L causes the cell to gain water. Explain what this indicates about the osmotic potential of the solutions.

Answer: The solution with 0.4 mol/L is hypertonic relative to the cell, causing water to leave the cell, while the 0.1 mol/L solution is hypotonic, causing water to enter the cell.

Question 1: Describe how osmosis is utilized in the food industry, specifically in the process of making dried fruits or salami.

Answer: Osmosis is used to draw water out of fruits or meats by placing them in a hypertonic solution, which helps preserve the food by reducing water activity and preventing microbial growth.

Question 2: Why is understanding osmosis important for developing new medical technologies such as targeted drug delivery systems?

Answer: Understanding osmosis allows scientists to manipulate water movement across cell membranes, enabling the design of drug delivery systems that can target specific tissues or cells by controlling osmotic pressure and fluid flow, thus increasing treatment effectiveness and reducing side effects.