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2. Diffusion and osmosis

Content
2.1 Diffusion
2.2 Osmosis
2.3 Active transport

Learning outcomes
Candidates should be able to:
(a) define diffusion as the movement of molecules from a region of their higher
concentration to a region of their lower concentration, down a concentration gradient
(b) define osmosis as the passage of water molecules from a region of higher water
potential to a region of lower water potential, through a partially permeable membrane
(c) describe the importance of a water potential gradient in the uptake of water by plants
and the effects of osmosis on plant and animal tissues
(d) define active transport as the movement of ions into or out of a cell through the cell
membrane, from a region of their lower concentration to a region of their higher
concentration against a concentration gradient, using energy released during respiration
(e) discuss the importance of active transport as an energy-consuming process by which
substances are transported against a concentration gradient, as in ion uptake by root hairs
and glucose uptake by cells in the villi.

DIFFUSION

Movement of molecules from high concentration to low concentration down the concentration
gradient

FACTORS EFFECTING RATE OF DIFFUSION

Concentration gradient: - concentration differences between two regions. When there is more
concentration gradient the rate of diffusion will be faster.

Temperature:- as the temperature increases the rate of diffusion increases. At low temperature
molecules have less kinetic energy and moves slowly, so the diffusion rate is slow. At high
temperature molecules gain more kinetic energy and moves faster, increasing the rate of diffusion.

Size of particles: when size of molecules increases rate of diffusion decreases.

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Examples of diffusion in living organisms

Gaseous exchange takes place by diffusion

In plant

- Carbon dioxide needed for photosynthesis enters the leaf by diffusion. The concentration of CO 2
in the atmosphere is higher than inside the leaf. As a result of this concentration gradient, CO2
moves into the leaves through the openings called
stomata.

In animals

- In humans gaseous exchange takes place in the alveoli

of the lungs. The air that we breathe in to the lungs
contains high concentration of oxygen than the blood
flows near the alveoli. So oxygen diffuses into the blood
as well as high concentration of carbon dioxide present
in the blood diffuse out into the alveoli.

Osmosis

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a

region of high water potential to a region of low water potential through semi-permea

Semi-permeable membrane is also called as selectively permeable membrane or partially-

permeable membrane.

Cell membrane is also semi-permeable membrane

Water potential: number of free water molecules present is solution.

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Distilled water has highest water potential

example

Which of the glass shown has highest water potential? ………………………..

Which of the glass is dilute solution? .........................................

Which glass is concentrated solution? .......................................

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Question 1

Figure 1.1 shows a beaker with two different solutions separated by a semi-permeable membrane.

Figure 1.2 shows the same beaker after 15 minutes.

a) Suggest the types of solutions in two different sides A and B.

Side A………………………………..

Side B………………………………..

b) Which side has highest water potential?

b) Explain how the change in figure 1.2 is brought about?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Visking tubing is tubing with a semi permeable membrane which allows small molecules to pass
through and prevents passage of larger molecules thus allowing osmosis to occur.

Question 2: The following figure shows a Viking tubing filled with sugar solution kept in a beaker of
distilled water. A capillary tube is fixed in the Visking tubing as
shown. You can see the level of liquid at the start of the
experiment.

State what happens to the level of liquid after 30 minutes?

Explain the reason for your answer?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
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Question 3: The following figure shows a Viking tubing filled with distilled water kept in a beaker of
sugar solution. A capillary tube is fixed in the Visking tubing as shown. You can see the level of
liquid at the start of the experiment.

a) State the process that would occur in the apparatus?

………………………………………………………………..

b) Define this process.

……………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………

c) Explain what will happen to the level of liquid in the

capillary tube after 15 minutes?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………

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Animal cell

In distilled water

Animal cell when kept in distilled water absorbs water into the
cell, because inside the cell water potential is low compared to outside,
distilled water. The cell becomes turgid and bursts. The cell membrane
cannot protect eth cell from bursting.

In concentrated solution

Animal cell loose water by osmosis when kept in concentrated

solution. Because inside the cell, water potential is higher compared
to the solution outside. So the cell becomes flaccid.

Plant cell

In distilled water In concentrated solution

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Absorption of water root hair cell

Water potential inside the root hair cell is low compared to the soil. So water moves from soil into
the root hair cell through the semi-permeable cell membrane by osmosis.

Active transport

Movement of molecules from a region of low concentration into a region of high concentration
against concentration gradient by using energy.

Example

Absorption of mineral ions by root hair cell

The concentration of mineral ions in the root hair cell

is higher compared to the minerals ions dissolved in
the soil. So root hair cell has to take in minerals
against concentration gradient which r equire energy
from respiration.

Absorption of glucose from small intestine (ileum)

At the start of absorption in the ileum (small intestine) the concentration of digested food like
glucose is low in the blood and high in the food present in the ileum. As a result glucose can be
absorbed by diffusion. But when the food goes along the small intestine the concentration of
glucose in the blood gets higher. So then the glucose fro small intestine has to be absorbed
against concentration gradient by using energy.

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Practical on diffusion and osmosis

DIFFUSION
Aim: to observe diffusion of KMNO4 in water
Materials:-
- beaker of water
- Potassium permanganate (KMNO4)

Method
- Take a beaker of water.
- Put few crystals of KMNO4 to the bottom of the beaker by using a t- pipette.
- Observe the beaker for 15 minutes.

Observation
Immediately after adding KMNO4 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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after 15 minutes --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Conclusion
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OSMOSIS

1- Aim:- to observe osmosis in dried grapes

Materials required:-
- dried grapes
- a beaker of water

Method
- Take a beaker of water.
- Add dried grapes into the beaker.
- Observe the grapes after one day.

Observation
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Conclusion
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2- Aim:- to observe osmosis in fresh grapes
Materials required:-
- Grapes
- a beaker of water
- salt

Method
- Take a beaker of water.
- Add about 4 spatula of salt and dissolve it with a rod.
- Put the grapes into the salt water beaker.
- Observe the grapes after one day.

Observation
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Conclusion
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3- Aim: to observe osmosis in potatoes

Materials required:
- Potatoes
- Cutters
- Beakers
- Salt
Method
- Cut a small cup from the potato
- Add 1 spatula of salt into the cup made in the potato.
- Keep the potato in a petri-dish with small amount of water.

Observation
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Conclusion
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4-Aim: to observe osmosis in eggs

Materials:
- Eggs
- Vinegar
- Food dye
Method
- Keep the egg in vinegar for 24 hours. It removes the hard shell of the egg.
- Prepare a beaker of coloured water.
- Keep the egg in that coloured water.
- Observe it after 24 hours.
Observation
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Conclusion--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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5-Aim: to observe osmosis in water balls

Materials:
- Water balls
- Water

Method
- Keep the water balls in a beaker of water.
- Observe it after 24 hours.

Observation
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Conclusion
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6-Aim: to observe osmosis in water balls

Materials:
- Water balls (swollen)
- Salt Water

Method
- Use the water balls kept in the experiment 5 to do this.
- Take the swollen water balls and keep it a beaker of salt water .
- Observe it after 24 hours.

Observation
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Conclusion
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DH.A.E.C / BIOLOGY NOTES UNIT 2: DIFFUSION AND OSMOSIS