Diffusion and

Osmosis
The Cell Membrane

The cell membrane is:
 Selectively permeable

Permeable = Pass through (Latin)

Cell membrane = Gate-Keeper that
determines what can and can’t enter the
cell.
 The Gate Keeper: The Cell
Membrane

Who comes in for the
Who gets bounced?
party?

Small molecules like
Large
water, carbon dioxide,
or oxygen can easily
pass through the
pores of the
membrane.
Molecule Movement

Recall cells are small because they need to
obtain sufficient nutrients and dispose of their
wastes.

This is done by the cell membrane by three
means:
1. Diffusion
2. Osmosis
3. Active Transport (Senior Science)
Definitions.

Solution = A homogenous, liquid mixture
of two or more substances.

Solvent = The dissolving agent of a
solution. Water is the most versatile
solvent known.

Solute = Substance that is dissolved in a
solution.
Diffusion

The process by which molecules tend to move
from an area of higher concentration to an area
of lower concentration.

Concentration= amount of substance in a given
volume.

Think of the perfume example (high low)

Think of the food-dye example (high low)
Why Diffusion?

Kinetic molecular theory.

Molecules are always moving

Collisions occur between molecules, which
causes the molecules to move away from
one another.

If there is space these molecules want to
spread out evenly.
What direction will the molecules move?
Diffusion and the Cell

Movement of molecules by diffusion is how the
cell fulfills its needs.

Nutrients: Low concentration in the cells, high

concentration outside of the cells.

What direction will the nutrients diffuse?

From outside the cell to inside the cell.

High to Low Concentration!!
Diffusion and the Cell

Wastes: High concentration in the cell,
low outside of the cell.

What direction will the wastes move?

From inside the cell to outside the cell.

High to Low concentration
 A special case of diffusion:
Osmosis

Water moves through the pores of the cell
membrane like other molecules.

The movement of water from a high
concentration to a low concentration (thru a
semi-permeable membrane) is called: Osmosis

Osmosis = movement of water (the solvent)

Diffusion = movement of dissolved materials
(the solutes)
Osmosis is the movement of water (red dots) through a
semipermeable membrane to a higher concentration of
solutes (blue dots).
 Activity — Predicting
Movement of Water

This “U” tube has a
selectively permeable
membrane separating
side A and B.

Side A has a 40%
solution of sugar and
side B has a 60%
solution of sugar.

Which side has more
water?

Which way will the
water move?
Selectively Permeable Membrane
Osmosis – a cure for the flu?

Who here has taken penicillin to combat
sickness?

Penicillin weakens bacterial cell walls

Water is at higher conc. outside the
cell…which way will water move?

With a weak cell wall, the bacterial cell
swells and…POP!
**Summary**

Both osmosis and diffusion involve the
movement of molecules from an area of
high concentrations to a area of low
concentrations.

Osmosis = movement of water (the
solvent)

Diffusion = movement of dissolved
materials (the solutes)
Water Balance

The cell membrane doesn’t actually control the
movement of water.

The environment around the cell determines the
direction of water movement.

For example, a cell is placed in a salt water tide pool.
The sun evaporates some water.

The concentration of water inside the cell is higher than
outside.

What happens?

Water leaves the cell.

Possible shrinking of the cell.
Water Balance

On the contrary imagine it rains.

A higher concentration of water outside
the cell is the result.

What happens?

Water moves into the cell

Possible swelling of the cell.
Water Regulation

Without other mechanisms the cell would burst
or shrivel.

Plant vacuoles store water even when the
environment is dry.

The cell wall is rigid to prevent bursting or
shriveling.

Animals can increase or decrease their amount
of water intake and outtake (Urine
concentration/amount of water that is drank)
Hypertonic Solution – More
water inside cell than outside
Plasmolysis

Plasmolysis

Cells shrink
and die
Iso-osmotic Solution – same
concentration of water inside and outside
cell
Animal cell

Plant cell

No net gain or
loss of water
Hypotonic Solution – more water
outside cell than inside

Cytolysis –
cell swells and
bursts

Builds up turgor
pressure – cell
becomes stiff,
keeping plant
upright
Cell’s are about 90% water.

What would happen 90% water
to a cell placed in
pure water? 10% solute
100% water

Human Red Blood Cell Before: After

Cell’s are about 90% water.

What would 90% water
happen to a cell
placed in a 20% 80% water 10% solute
salt solution?

Human Red Blood Cell Before: After

Potatoes and Corn Starch…..

Finish your Experiments…

Remember Unit Test on
Friday

Microscopes & Cells

Structures/Functions

Cellular
Respiration/Photosynthesis

Cell Size

Osmosis/Diffusion

Single Celled Organisms.

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