- Osmosis: movement of water across a semi permeable membrane from a high concentration to a low concentration.
- E.G. cell membrane will allow water but not salt.
Diffusion: molecules of solute spread from areas of low concentration in the solvent.
- Solvent: substance that dissolves the solute into it.
- Solute: substance that is dissolved into the solvent.
- E.G. water (solvent) will have salt dissolve into it (solute).
Hypotonic: less solute (salt) molecules outside the cell, which causes the water to be sucked in that direction. E.G. the cell will gain water and grow larger.
Hypertonic: more solute (salt) molecules outside the cell, which causes the water to be sucked in that direction. E.G. the cell will shrink and may die.