Diffusion, Osmosis & Active Transport (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Biology): Exam Questions

Exam code: 0610 & 0970

5 hours44 questions
11 mark

Extended only

Osmosis is:

  • The active movement of molecules from a region of their lower concentration to a region of their higher concentration. 

  • The movement of water through a partially permeable membrane from a more concentrated to a more dilute solution.

  • Particles from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration using energy from respiration.

  • The movement of water through a partially permeable membrane from a more dilute to a more concentrated solution.

21 mark

How does a water vapour molecule move out of the air space of a leaf into the atmosphere on a dry day?

  • Active transport

  • Diffusion

  • Evaporation

  • Transpiration

31 mark

Extended only

The image below shows a leaf palisade cell: 

A_J~Ah-X_plant-cell

What would the correct appearance of the leaf palisade cell be after it has been placed in a highly concentrated solution of sugar after an hour?

  • a
  • b
  • c
  • d
41 mark

What causes the diffusion of carbon dioxide out of a living cell?

  • Active transport

  • Random movement of molecules

  • Respiration

  • Photosynthesis

51 mark

Which of the structures below is best adapted for diffusion?

  • ileum

  • bronchioles

  • atria

  • capillary

61 mark

What are the features of active transport?

occurs through a cell membrane

particles move from a higher concentration to a lower concentration

uses energy from respiration

A

Yes

Yes

Yes

B

Yes

Yes

No

C

Yes

No

Yes

D

No

Yes

Yes

    71 mark

    By which process do oxygen and carbon dioxide move between cells and capillaries?

    • breathing

    • diffusion

    • excretion

    • respiration

    81 mark

    Which statement describes the net movement of particles during diffusion?

    • From higher to lower concentration down a concentration gradient

    • From higher to lower concentration against a concentration gradient

    • From lower to higher concentration down a concentration gradient

    • From lower to higher concentration against a concentration gradient 

    91 mark

    The diagram shows a section through a mesophyll cell of a leaf. 

    Which part is partially permeable?

    Diagram of a plant cell with labels A, B, C, D pointing to various parts including a large central vacuole and smaller circular structures representing organelles.
      101 mark

      Which process is involved in the uptake of glucose by the epithelial cells of kidney tubules?

      • active transport

      • osmosis

      • translocation

      • transpiration

      11 mark

      Extended only

      A number of red blood cells were immersed in pure water before being observed under a microscope. There was a dramatic change in their appearance. 

      Which row of the table below correctly describes what happened to the red blood cells?

       

      direction of water movement

      from higher to lower solute concentration

      from higher to lower water potential

      effect

      A

      in

      X

      cells burst

      B

      in

      X

      cells burst

      C

      out

      X

      cells shrink

      D

      out

      cells shrink

        21 mark

        Plants take in various essential substances through their roots.

        Which row in the table below accurately identifies the substances taken up by the roots and the processes involved in their uptake?

         

        minerals

        oxygen

        water

        A

        active transport

        diffusion

        osmosis

        B

        active transport

        not absorbed

        transpiration

        C

        diffusion

        diffusion

        osmosis

        D

        active transport

        not absorbed

        osmosis

          31 mark

          Which of the following statements would be correct for both diffusion and osmosis?

           

          does not require energy from the cell

          molecules must be separated by a partially permeable membrane

          molecules move from a dilute to a more concentrated solution

          A

          X

          B

          X

          X

          C

          X

          X

          D

          X

            41 mark

            Extended only

            The image below shows two solutions separated by a partially permeable membrane.

            picture7

            Which of the statements below would be true in relation to the image?

            • There is no net movement of water from W to X

            • There would be movement of water molecules from W to X

            • Osmosis of sugar molecules would occur from the dilute solution (W) to the concentrated solution (X)

            • Solution X is more dilute and therefore has a higher water potential than solution W

            51 mark

            Which of the statements below correctly describes the importance of osmosis in plant tissues?

            • Plants are supported by osmosis filling the cell wall with water, increasing the strength of the cell

            • Plants are supported by the pressure of water inside the cells pressing outwards on the cell wall

            • Plants are supported by the pressure of water outside the cells pressing inwards on the cell wall

            • Plants are supported by osmosis filling the cell membrane with water, increasing the strength of the cell

            61 mark

            Three statements about the role of water in mammals are given below:

            1. Water forms a major part of the cytoplasm, allowing substances to dissolve and participate in metabolic reactions within the cell

            2. Substances, such as urea and excess salts, are able to dissolve in water making them easier to remove from the body in urine

            3. Allows substances to be transported around the body in the blood

            Which of the statements above are true?

            • 1 & 2 only

            • 2 & 3 only

            • All of the statements

            • 1 & 3 only

            71 mark

            How do carbon dioxide and oxygen move into and out of a mesophyll cell?

            • Active transport

            • Diffusion

            • Osmosis

            • Transpiration

            81 mark

            A cylinder of potato tissue was placed in a beaker of very salty water. After one hour the mass of the potato cylinder had decreased.

            Why did this happen?

            • Salt entered the plant tissue by active transport.

            • Salt left the plant tissue by osmosis.

            • Water entered the plant tissue by active transport.

            • Water left the plant tissue by osmosis.

            11 mark

            A group of students carried out an investigation into osmosis using cylinders of potatoes. The potatoes were put into a solution of salt.

            The results from their experiment are shown below. 

            concentration of salt solution / mol dm-3

            mass of potato cylinder at start / g

            mass of potato cylinder after 24 hours / g

            0.2

            2.5

            2.7

            Which statement below correctly explains this change in mass?

             

            Direction of movement of water

            Cause of this movement

            A

            out of the potato cells

            the salt solution has a lower water potential than the potato cells.

            B

            out of the potato cells

            the salt solution has a higher water potential than the potato cells.

            C

            into the potato cells

            the salt solution has a lower water potential than the potato cells.

            D

            into the potato cells

            the salt solution has a higher water potential than the potato cells.

              21 mark

              The image below shows part of a cross-section through a leaf.

              picture9

              Which row of the table below correctly shows the movement of various substances?

               

              evaporation of water

              movement of water by osmosis

              diffusion of water vapour

              A

              3

              1

              2

              B

              2

              3

              1

              C

              3

              2

              1

              D

              2

              1

              3

                31 mark

                Two identical square pieces of beetroot are cut. Each square of beetroot has a mass of 3.0 g. One (S) is placed in a concentrated salt solution, the other (T) is placed in pure water.

                What would the masses of the two pieces of beetroot be after 3 hours?

                 

                mass of beetroot squares

                 

                S

                T

                A

                3.0

                3.2

                B

                2.7

                3.0

                C

                2.9

                3.2

                D

                3.1

                2.9

                  41 mark

                  A group of students carried out an investigation into osmosis using cylinders of potato. 

                  The results from their experiment are shown below. 

                  concentration of salt solution / mol dm-3

                  length of potato cylinder at start / mm

                  length of potato cylinder after 24 hours / mm

                  ?

                  35

                  33

                  Which statement below correctly explains this change in length and shows the concentration of the salt solution?

                   

                  concentration of salt solution

                  cause of this movement

                  A

                  0.0

                  the salt solution is more concentrated than the solution inside the potato.

                  B

                  0.6

                  the solution in the potato is more dilute than the solution around the potato.

                  C

                  0.6

                  the solution in the potato is less dilute than the solution around the potato.

                  D

                  0.0

                  the salt solution is less concentrated than the solution inside the potato.

                    51 mark

                    Extended only

                    The image below shows molecules in two solutions separated by a membrane. 

                    picture10

                    In which direction would there be movement?

                     

                    water molecules

                    solute molecules

                    A

                    right to left

                    no net movement

                    B

                    left to right

                    right to left

                    C

                    left to right

                    no net movement

                    D

                    right to left

                    left to right

                      61 mark

                      Four freshly cut potato cylinders were soaked for one hour in different salt solutions The potato cylinders were then pinned to cork blocks. Two of the potato cylinders are shown.

                      3-1-image-hq6

                      Which solution would cause the potato cylinder to be the most flaccid?

                      • 0.1 mol per dm3 salt solution

                      • 0.3 mol per dm3 salt solution

                      • 0.7 mol per dm3 salt solution

                      • 1.0 mol per dm3 salt solution