Unit 3: The Cell--the Cell Membrane, Diffusion, & Osmosis
This quiz will test your understanding of concepts related to the plasma membrane, diffusion, and osmosis as they are taught in the MCPS biology course.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Iodine can test for the presence of ____________.
- A.
Glucose
- B.
Fat
- C.
Protein
- D.
Starch
Correct Answer
D. StarchExplanation
Iodine can test for the presence of starch because iodine reacts with starch to form a blue-black color. This is a commonly used test in biology and chemistry laboratories to detect the presence of starch in various substances.Rate this question:
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- 2.
In the diffusion lab, iodine was place into a beaker of water and _________ was placed inside special semipermeable tubing.
- A.
Water
- B.
Iodine
- C.
Starch
Correct Answer
C. StarchExplanation
In the diffusion lab, iodine was placed into a beaker of water and starch was placed inside special semipermeable tubing. This is because starch is a large molecule that cannot pass through the small pores of the tubing, while iodine is a smaller molecule that can diffuse through the tubing. Therefore, when the tubing is placed in the beaker, water molecules will move into the tubing through osmosis, while iodine molecules will move out of the tubing and into the surrounding water. However, the starch molecules will remain trapped inside the tubing, as they are too large to pass through the pores.Rate this question:
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- 3.
If iodine comes into contact with starch, the iodine will become __________.
- A.
Dark purple/black
- B.
Hot
- C.
Brownish yellow
Correct Answer
A. Dark purple/blackExplanation
When iodine comes into contact with starch, a chemical reaction occurs. This reaction leads to the formation of a complex between iodine molecules and the starch molecules. This complex has a deep purple or black color, which is why iodine becomes dark purple/black when it comes into contact with starch.Rate this question:
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- 4.
In the diffusion lab, the special tubing represented ________.
- A.
The mitochondria
- B.
The nucleus
- C.
The plasma membrane
Correct Answer
C. The plasma membraneExplanation
In the diffusion lab, the special tubing represented the plasma membrane. The plasma membrane is a selectively permeable barrier that surrounds the cells and controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell. It allows certain molecules to pass through via diffusion, which is the process of molecules moving from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. Therefore, the special tubing in the diffusion lab was used to mimic the function of the plasma membrane in regulating the diffusion of molecules.Rate this question:
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- 5.
In our diffusion lab, we placed a bag containing starch inside a beaker with water and iodine.What happened?
- A.
The water in the beaker turned purple.
- B.
The water in the beaker evaporated.
- C.
The starch in the bag turned purple.
Correct Answer
C. The starch in the bag turned purple.Explanation
When starch is placed inside a bag and immersed in water, it undergoes the process of diffusion. Diffusion is the movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In this case, the starch particles move out of the bag and into the surrounding water. Iodine is used as an indicator for the presence of starch. When iodine comes into contact with starch, it turns purple. Therefore, when the bag of starch is placed in the water, the starch particles diffuse out of the bag and into the water, causing the water in the beaker to turn purple.Rate this question:
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- 6.
The change of color inside the bag indicated which of the following?
- A.
Iodine is able to pass through the bag.
- B.
Starch is able to pass through the bag.
- C.
Both starch and iodine can pass through the bag.
Correct Answer
A. Iodine is able to pass through the bag.Explanation
The change of color inside the bag indicates that iodine is able to pass through the bag. This is because iodine is a small molecule that can easily diffuse through the pores or openings in the bag, causing a chemical reaction with the substances inside the bag and resulting in a change of color. Starch, on the other hand, is a larger molecule and cannot pass through the bag, so it does not contribute to the change of color. Therefore, the correct answer is that iodine is able to pass through the bag.Rate this question:
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- 7.
___________ is the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.
- A.
Dissolution
- B.
Diffusion
- C.
Polarity
Correct Answer
B. DiffusionExplanation
Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. This process occurs due to the random motion of particles and does not require any external energy input. It is a fundamental process in various biological and physical systems, such as the exchange of gases in the lungs and the mixing of substances in a solution.Rate this question:
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- 8.
A cell that is 95% water is placed inside a solution that is 100% water. What will happen?
- A.
The cell will swell because water will enter it.
- B.
The cell will swell because it will produce more sugar.
- C.
The cell will shrink because it has less water than the solution.
Correct Answer
A. The cell will swell because water will enter it.Explanation
When a cell is placed in a solution that has a higher water concentration, water molecules tend to move from an area of higher concentration (the solution) to an area of lower concentration (the cell). This process is called osmosis. In this case, since the cell is 95% water and the solution is 100% water, water will enter the cell through osmosis, causing it to swell.Rate this question:
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- 9.
A cell is placed in a hypertonic solution. This means that the percentage of water is ___.
- A.
Greater in the solution.
- B.
Greater in the cell
- C.
The same in the cell and the solution.
Correct Answer
B. Greater in the cellExplanation
Hypertonic solution - more solute, less water than the cell. Therefore the cell has a greater concentration of water.Rate this question:
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- 10.
A piece of potato is placed in pure water. The potato cells are not 100% water. Relative to the potato cells, the pure water is ___________.
- A.
Isotonic
- B.
Hypertonic
- C.
Hypotonic
Correct Answer
C. HypotonicExplanation
Since it's 100% water, it has NO solutes at all.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Potato cells placed in a hypotonic solution would increase in mass because ______.
- A.
The stuff in the solution would cause the cells to divide rapidly.
- B.
Water would enter the cells.
- C.
They would increase their production of sugar.
Correct Answer
B. Water would enter the cells.Explanation
When potato cells are placed in a hypotonic solution, the concentration of solutes outside the cell is lower than inside the cell. This creates a concentration gradient, causing water molecules to move from an area of higher concentration (the solution) to an area of lower concentration (the cell). As a result, water would enter the cells, leading to an increase in their mass.Rate this question:
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- 12.
A fish that is accustomed to living in salt water is placed in fresh water. What do you predict might happen to the cells of the fish?
- A.
They might shrink up and cause the fish to die.
- B.
They would become healthier because the water is so fresh.
- C.
They might burst and cause the fish to die.
Correct Answer
C. They might burst and cause the fish to die.Explanation
When a fish that is accustomed to living in salt water is placed in fresh water, the concentration of solutes inside the fish's cells becomes higher than the concentration in the surrounding water. This creates a concentration gradient that leads to osmosis, the movement of water molecules from an area of lower solute concentration (fresh water) to an area of higher solute concentration (inside the fish's cells). As a result, water enters the fish's cells, causing them to swell and potentially burst, leading to the death of the fish.Rate this question:
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- 13.
If the concentration of solute is the same both inside a cell and in the solution it's placed into, then the solution is said to be _____________.
- A.
Hypertonic
- B.
Hypotonic
- C.
Isotonic
Correct Answer
C. IsotonicExplanation
If the concentration of solute is the same both inside a cell and in the solution it's placed into, then the solution is said to be isotonic. In an isotonic solution, there is no net movement of water across the cell membrane, as the concentration of solute is balanced on both sides. This means that the cell will maintain its shape and size without any swelling or shrinking.Rate this question:
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- 14.
If the left side of the beaker were hypertonic compared to the right side, what would happen to the level of water on both sides?
- A.
The left side would go up and the right side would go down.
- B.
The right side would go up and the left side would go down.
- C.
The level of water on both sides of the beaker would stay the same.
Correct Answer
A. The left side would go up and the right side would go down.Explanation
If the left side of the beaker were hypertonic compared to the right side, it means that the concentration of solutes in the left side is higher than in the right side. In this scenario, water would move from an area of lower solute concentration (the right side) to an area of higher solute concentration (the left side) through osmosis. As a result, the level of water on the left side would increase, while the level of water on the right side would decrease.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Nov 09, 2009Quiz Created by
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