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?
13. 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 osmotic pressure: Osmotic pressure is the pressure required to stop the flow of water across a semipermeable membrane due to osmosis. It is influenced by the concentration of solutes in a solution.
Identify the concentration gradient: In this scenario, the red blood cell is placed in pure water, which has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell.
Determine the direction of water movement: Water moves from areas of lower solute concentration (higher water concentration) to areas of higher solute concentration (lower water concentration) to achieve equilibrium.
Analyze the osmotic pressure difference: Since the solute concentration is higher inside the cell, the osmotic pressure is greater inside the cell than in the pure water outside.
Conclude the effect on the red blood cell: Due to the higher osmotic pressure inside the cell, water will move into the cell, causing it to swell.
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