The Effect of Concentration on Osmosis

The Effect of Concentration on Osmosis

Introduction

Osmosis is the diffusion of water molecules that occurs only when

there is a movement of water molecules from a region of higher

concentration to a region of lower concentration through a partially

permeable membrane. The process ends only when the two concentrations

are equal or the cell is unable to take any more water because the

cell is turgid. For osmosis to take place a partially permeable

membrane is required to allow water movement to take place and to

prevent such a transfer between other molecules. If a cell is in

contact with a solution of lower water concentration than its own

contents, then water leaves the cell by osmosis, through the cell

membrane. The living contents of the cell contracts and eventually

pulls away from the cell wall and shrinks, this is known as

plasmolysis. If you put a plant cell in water, water enters by

Osmosis, and then swells up. However, the cell will not burst. This is

due to the fact that the cell walls are made from cellulose, which is

extremely strong. Eventually, the cell stops swelling, and when this

point is reached, we say the cell is turgid.