Osmosis and Water Potential Osmosis is the term describing the diffusion of water along is, concentration gradient across a partially permeable membrane. itis the principal mechanism by which water enters and leaves calls in living organisms. As iis a type of difusion, the rate fat which osmosis occurs is affected by the same factors that affect al ifusion rates (see earlier). The tendency for water to move in any particular direction can be calculated on the basis, of the water potential of the cell sap relative to its surrounding tenvironment. The use of water potential to express the water relations of cells has replaced the terms osmotic potential and ‘osmotic pressure although those are still frequently used in areas ‘of animal physiology and medicine. The concepts of osmosis, ‘water potential, cel turgor, and plasmolysis are expiained below ‘and on the following page, ‘Osmosis and the Water Potential of Cells (Osmosis is simply the stfuson of water molecules from high concentration to lower concentration, across a partially ‘permeable membrane. The direction ofthis movement can be predicted on the basis ofthe water potential ofthe solutions involved. The water potential ofa solution (denoted with the symbol) isthe term givan tothe tendency for water molecules to enter oF leave a solution by osmosis, Pure water has the righest water potential, set at 2er0. Dissolving any solute into pure water lowers the water potential (makes It more negative) Water always diffuses trom regions of less negative to more negative water eotential. Water potential is determined by two components: the solute potential, Ws (ofthe cel sap) and the pressure potential, yp. This is expressed asa simple equation: ys + Vp Less negative Ys Sas Less negative ° Hypotonic LESCRrey 20 Loses water ° by osmosis oo leo, Water malecue“]_ aero) eC =o $\= 09° #22 ‘The pressure potential (Yo) ‘The prossure potentials the hyrostatlc proscure to which water is subjected (6.9.by rigid plant col wal) The presse potentials usually (athough het alvays) postive Its sometimes called tgor or val pressure. 4. State the water potential of pure water at standard temperature and pressure: Partly permeablo Water moves towards move negative Ws untl wator concentations equalise More negative Ws More negative Hypertonic S ° Gains water ° by osmosis ‘Solute molecule cannot pass ‘through the membrane A ‘The solute potential (¥s) ‘The solite potential a measure of tho reduction in water potential due to the presence of solute molecules, Its the negative component of water potertial, sometimes referred to as the osmotic potential or osmotic pressure 2, The three diagrams below show the solute and pressure potential values for three hypothetical situations where two solutions are separated by a selectively permeable membrane. For each example (a)-(c) calculate y for the solutions on. teach side of the membrane, as indicated: 3. Draw arrows on each diagram to indicate the direction of net flow of water: © © () r © a to 8 A B a B ye=—400KP= } ys=-sooKra | | ‘ys=-sooKPa | | ys =sooxPa \yp = 300KPa, 00KPa yp= 100k § yp=200KPa | | yp=00kPa Calculate w for side A Caleuate y for side B Photocopying Prohibited 67 ra} a Fa z 3 g g H ff rs 3 Ea FI F] FA 3 8 ES38 Water Relations in Plant Cells “The plasma membrane of cells is a partially permeable membrane and osmosis isthe principal mechanism by which water enters and leaves the cel. Whan the extemal water potonta isthe same as that (of tho coll there is no not movement of water, Two systems (cell and Hypertonic salt solution =-600 Co ati rely permeable 0 ‘isto moectles The Ye is uw tothe elute content ofthe ‘ina hypertonic soluton, tho extemal watr potentials more negative than the water potential ofthe cel (yell = is + wp). Water leaves the cel and, because the cel walls rigid, the plasma memarane ehrinks ‘way from the cell wall This process is termed plasmalysis and the ‘cell Becomes flaccid (Yp = 0), Full plasmolysis i ereveribe; the cll ‘cannat recover by taking up water. environment) with the same wator potential ar termed isotonic, The diagram below ilustrates two diferent situations: when the external ‘water potential is less negative than the cel (hypotonie) and when itis more nagative tan the cell (hypertonic) Pure water (Hypotonie) Cot wat bulges ‘Copies akos ‘onwate puting pressure on ne lasma membrane ‘ad col wal Wo ‘ses (ofiseting Ws atta gee Ina hypotonic solution, the extonal water potential is less negative than the Weel Water enters the cel causing ito sell ight. pressure potential is generated wen sufficient water has been taken up 10 cause the cell contents to press against the coll wal. yp rises progressively unil it offsets Ws. Water uptake stops when Weel = 0 ‘The rigié cel wall prevents cell rupture. Gels in his state ae turgid 4, Fluid replacements are usually provided for heavily perspiring athletes after endurance events. (a) Identity the preterable tonicity of these replacement drinks (isotonic, hypertonic, or hypotonic): (0) Give a reason for your answer: 5, Paramecium is a treshwater protozoan. Describe the problem it has in controling the amount of water inside the cell: 6. (a) Explain the role of pressure potential in generating cell turgor in plants: (b) Explain the purpose of cell turgor to plants: 7. Explain how animal cells differ from plant cells with respect to the effects of net wator movements: 8. Describe what would happen to an animal cell (e.g. a red blood cell) fit was placed into: (a) Pure water: (©) A hypertonic solution: (6) A hypotonic solution: 9. The malarial parasite lives in hurman blood. Relative to the tonicity of the blood, the parasite’s cell contents would be hypotonic / isotonic / hypertonic (circle the correct answer). Photocopying Prohibited