1.
Water is a molecule that needs small pores (embedded in the membrane of a cell) to move by diffusion into a cell. What are these small pores called?
Correct Answer
A. Aquaporins
Explanation
Aquaporins are membrane water channels that regulate the passage of water through cell membranes.
2.
Once molecules reach a dynamic equilibrium on either side of a membrane they stop moving.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
This is false. With the exception of the theoretical "absolute zero" molecules are ALWAYS in motion.
3.
Diffusion is the net movement of molecules from an area of ______________________ concentration to an area of ___________________ concentration.* (Place a comma to separate your two answers).
Correct Answer
higher, lower
high, low
high, lower
higher concentration, lower
higher concentration, lower concentration
high concentration, low
higher concentration, low
higher concentration, low concentration
high concentration, low concentration
higher, low
high,low
higher,lower
Explanation
Diffusion is the net movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. This process occurs due to the random motion of molecules and aims to equalize the concentration of molecules throughout the given space. The concentration gradient, which is the difference in concentration between two areas, drives the movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. This movement continues until equilibrium is reached, where the concentration becomes equal throughout the space.
4.
The thing that drives the diffusion of molecules are molecular collisions.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Yep! Molecular collisions impart force (kinetic energy) from one molecule to another, and this ultimately leads to molecules spreading from one area to another. We've also learned that when there are more molecules in an area, they have a greater chance of colliding and imparting their force, thus molecules tend to move from areas of high to lower concentrations.
5.
The brownish/orange circle is a cell and the white ring represents its membrane. In which picture (A, B, or C) shows a hypertonic solution inside the cell, compared to a hypotonic solution outside the cell? (Note: the green "dots" represent salt molecules).
Correct Answer
A
a
Explanation
"A" shows more salt inside the cell (hypertonic) and less salt outside of the cell (hypotonic); there is more salt inside the cell compared to the outside of the cell.
6.
The brownish/orange circle is a cell and the white ring represents its membrane. In which picture (A, B, or C) shows a isotonic solution inside and outside of the cell? (Note: the green "dots" represent salt molecules).
Correct Answer
B
b
Explanation
In picture B, the green dots representing salt molecules are evenly distributed both inside and outside the cell. This indicates that the concentration of salt is the same inside and outside the cell, suggesting an isotonic solution.
7.
You eat spaghetti for dinner and digest the starch in it to glucose. The glucose is now in high concentration in the cells of your small intestine, relative to its concentration in your bloodstream. Predictably, the glucose diffuses across the cell membrane of the cells lining your small intestine and into the bloodstream.
Correct Answer
A. True, because diffusion moves molecules from a high to low concentration.
Explanation
This answer is true; molecules move from areas of high to low concentration. This movement is called diffusion and is a type of passive transport (it doesn't require extra cellular energy).
8.
Molecules are often said to: "move in constant random motion". Why do molecules appear to move that way? Choose the best answer.
Correct Answer
C. Because molecules are constantly colliding with each other.
Explanation
Molecules appear to move randomly, however in reality their movement is directly related to collisions with other molecules that are happening all the time. When molecules "collide" they impart their force (kinetic energy) onto each other.
9.
What are "free" water molecules?
Correct Answer
B. Water molecules that are not bound to solutes (such as salt).
Explanation
"Free" water molecules are water molecules that are not bound to solutes (such as salt).
10.
Molecular motion stops when:
Correct Answer
D. Molecules never stop moving. (Unless they reach absolute zero, and even this state is open to debate).
Explanation
Molecules never stop moving. Even at absolute zero molecular motion is governed by the laws of quantum physics, thus many believe that molecules (and their atoms) would still vibrate at absolute zero.
11.
What term means the concentrations of a molecule are equal on both sides of a membrane?
Correct Answer
E. Both "C" and "D' are correct
Explanation
Both the terms "Isotonic" and "Dynamic Equilibrium" describe conditions where the concentrations of a molecule are equal on both sides of a membrane.
12.
A molecule can move from low to high concentration.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Yep. Molecules just move based on their own kinetic energy and change direction based on collisions. Molecules can move from an area of lower to higher concentrations, but this occurs less frequently then molecules moving from high to low. This occurs because when the density of molecules are higher in a region they have a greater likelihood to collide with each other. These collisions ultimately cause more denser areas of molecules to spread out and move from high concentration to a lower concentration.
13.
Water molecules have a net movement from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
True! This may sound incorrect, but solute refers to a substance (like salt) dissolved by a solvent (such as water). Thus an area of low solute would have a high concentration of solvent (or water), and this water would have a net movement from an area of higher to lower concentration.
14.
What term describes a membrane that allows some substances to pass through and prevents other substances from passing across it.
Correct Answer
A. Selectively permeable
Explanation
Membranes that only allow certain substances to pass across are called selectively (or sometimes semi-) permeable.
15.
Slugs die when salted. Pick the best explanation for this action:
Correct Answer
B. A higher solute (salt) concentration on the outside of the slug creates a concentration gradient where water moves out of the slug rapidly, causing the slug's cells to rapidly dehydrate.
Explanation
The higher salt concentration outside the slug create a concentration gradient where water moves by osmosis, rapidly out the slug's cells.
16.
Which answer best explains why the Gummy Bears from our lab were larger the next day, after being placed in distilled water?
Correct Answer
D. Water entered the bears by osmosis from an area of high to lower concentration.
Explanation
Distilled water is water with salts removed. When the bear was placed in distilled water, there was a high concentration of water on the outside of the bear and a (much) lower concentration of water on the inside of the bear. This created a large concentration gradient and water moved (by osmosis) into the bear from an area of high to lower concentration.
17.
Osmosis is a type of diffusion.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Yep. Osmosis is the diffusion of water.
18.
After completing the "Gummy Bear Lab", a student noticed that their bear had changed color from a dark green to almost colorless. Which answer best explains this observation?
Correct Answer
B. The green dye/pigment diffused from an area of high to an area of lower concentration.
Explanation
Most likely the green dye/pigment diffused from an area of high concentration (inside the bear) to an area of lower concentration (outside the bear into the water).
19.
Diffusion stops if there is no concentration gradient.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Yep. There is only a net movement from one area, to another, if there is a concentration gradient (a difference in the concentration of a molecule between one area and another. This difference leads to more molecules in one region (greater density of molecules) colliding more frequently, and thus spreading out more from an area.
20.
If an animal cell was placed in a hypertonic solution, which answer best predicts what would happen?
Correct Answer
A. The cell will shrivel and possibly die due to loss of water by osmosis.
Explanation
The cell was placed in a hypertonic solution. This means it was placed in a solution that had a high solute (salt) concentration. Thus the cell had a higher concentration of free water molecules inside the cell and water moved from an area of high free water concentration to an area of lower concentration (outside the cell). This resulted in the cell losing water by osmosis and shriveling.