IB Biology SL D2.3.3 Osmosis Into Out of Cells Questions

Analyse how matching osmolarity prevents net osmosis and how incorrect solutions cause animal-cell swelling or shrinkage in IB Biology SL D2.3.3.

Exam points

Explain that matching osmolarity prevents net osmosis in animal cells and tissues.
Predict swelling, bursting or shrinking when animal cells are placed in an incorrect osmolarity.

[Maximum number: 3]

The electron micrograph shows the surface membrane of an animal cell.

Explain the reason that animal cells and tissues under investigation must be maintained in solutions with the same osmolarity.

All question bank results loaded

a	to prevent osmosis;
b	cells placed in the incorrect osmolarity might swell/burst/shrink;
c	hypotonic solution would cause water to enter cells/tissues;
d	hypertonic solutions would cause water to leave cells/tissues;
e	water loss would hinder (metabolic) reactions in cell cytoplasm OR distort appearance of the cells (for the investigation);