Compartment A contains a 25% glucose solution.Compartment B contains a 15% glucose solution.The membrane (dividing the beaker into compartments A and B)is permeable to water but impermeable to glucose.Which of the following statements is true regarding the initial net flux?
A) Water diffuses from compartment B to compartment A.
B) Glucose diffuses from compartment A to compartment B.
C) Solute diffuses from compartment A to compartment B.
D) Solvent diffuses from compartment A to compartment B.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The initial net flux will be from compartment B to compartment A due to osmosis. Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration across a semi-permeable membrane. Here, compartment A has a higher solute concentration (25% glucose) than compartment B (15% glucose). Therefore, water molecules will move from compartment B to compartment A to dilute the higher solute concentration in compartment A, resulting in a net flux of water from compartment B to compartment A. Since the membrane is impermeable to glucose, glucose cannot diffuse from compartment A to compartment B. Solute (glucose) cannot diffuse from compartment A to compartment B either as the membrane is impermeable to glucose. The solvent (water) is the only component that can diffuse through the membrane, resulting in a net flux of water from compartment B to compartment A.

Compartment a Contains a 25% Glucose Solution