Multiple Choice
Four U tubes each have distilled water in the right arm, a solution in the left arm, and a semipermeable membrane between the arms. If the solute is LiF, which solution is most concentrated?
9. Solutions
Osmosis
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A red blood cell placed in pure water will swell because:
A
the osmotic pressure is greater in the water than in the cell.
B
the osmotic pressure is greater in the cell than in the water.
C
the osmotic pressure is the same in the cell and the water.
D
water moves from a higher osmotic pressure to a lower osmotic pressure.
E
the vapor pressure of the water in the cell is greater than the vapor pressure of pure water.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of osmosis: Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration.
Identify the osmotic pressure: Osmotic pressure is the pressure required to stop the flow of water across the membrane. It is directly related to the solute concentration in a solution.
Compare the osmotic pressures: In this scenario, the red blood cell has a higher solute concentration compared to pure water, which means the osmotic pressure is greater inside the cell than in the surrounding water.
Determine the direction of water movement: Water will move from the area of lower osmotic pressure (pure water) to the area of higher osmotic pressure (inside the cell), causing the cell to swell.
Clarify the incorrect options: The vapor pressure of water is not directly related to osmotic pressure in this context, and water moves from lower to higher osmotic pressure, not the other way around.
