Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Osmosis
Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. This process is crucial for maintaining cell turgor in plant cells and overall cell health in animal cells. Understanding osmosis helps explain how cells react to different environments, such as distilled water.
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Turgor Pressure
Turgor pressure is the pressure exerted by the fluid inside a plant cell against the cell wall. It is essential for maintaining the structural integrity and rigidity of plant cells. When a plant cell is placed in distilled water, water enters the cell, increasing turgor pressure, which can lead to the cell becoming turgid.
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Cell Membrane Permeability
Cell membrane permeability refers to the ability of the cell membrane to allow certain substances to pass through while blocking others. In animal cells, the membrane is more permeable to water than to solutes, which can lead to cell swelling and potential bursting when placed in a hypotonic solution like distilled water. Understanding this concept is key to predicting the behavior of cells in different osmotic conditions.
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Introduction to Membrane Transport