In a hypertonic solution, water flows through aquaporins embedded in the plasma membrane of the cell. This type of transport is best known as which of the following?
A.
Osmosis
B.
Diffusion
C.
Active transport
D.
Facilitated diffusion
The correct answer is:
A. Osmosis
Explanation: Osmosis is the process by which water molecules move across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration (hypotonic solution) to an area of higher solute concentration (hypertonic solution). In a hypertonic solution, water will move out of the cell through aquaporins (water channels) in the plasma membrane to balance the solute concentrations on either side of the membrane.
- B. Diffusion: Refers to the movement of solutes from an area of higher concentration to lower concentration, but it doesn’t specifically involve water or the semipermeable membrane.
- C. Active transport: Requires energy (ATP) to move substances against their concentration gradient, unlike osmosis, which is a passive process.
- D. Facilitated diffusion: Also a passive process, but it involves the movement of solutes through protein channels, not water specifically through aquaporins.