Solution
A mixture of solute (particles) and solvent (liquid)
Diffusion
the random movement of solutes from a region of high concentration to a region of lower concentration
Osmosis
the random movement of water across a semipermeable membrane as it moves down its concentration gradient
Osmotic Pressure
the pressure generated in a solution as water moves by osmosis
Isosmotic
a solution that has the same concentration of solutes as a neighboring solution such that it does not gain or lose osmotic pressure to that neighboring solution
Hyperosmotic
a solution that has a higher concentration of solutes than a neighboring solution such that water moves into the solution; osmotic pressure increases in this solution
Hyposmotic
a solution that has a lower concentration of solutes than a neighboring solution such that water moves out of this solution; osmotic pressure decreases in this solution
Tonicity
the effect of an extracellular solution on the cell's plasma membrane
Isotonic
an extracellular solution that has the same concentration of solutes as a healthy cell such that the cell does not gain or lose osmotic pressure
Hypertonic
an extracellular solution that has a higher concentration of solutes than a healthy cell such that water moves out of the cell, causing the cell to crenate
Hypotonic
an extracellular solution that has a lower concentration of solutes than a healthy cell such that water moves into the cell, causing the cell to swell (and under extreme conditions to lyse)