Explain the concepts of tonicity, water potential, osmosis, and partially permeable membranes using solutions A and B. Also, describe the thistle funnel experiment. For question 24, identify the optim

Here are the answers to your questions.

Question 23:

a) Solution B has a higher concentration of sugar molecules (solute) compared to solution A. Therefore, solution B is hypertonic.

• Solution B

b) Water potential is inversely related to solute concentration. Solution A has a lower concentration of sugar molecules, meaning it has a higher water potential.

• Solution A

c) Water molecules will move from an area of higher water potential to an area of lower water potential through a partially permeable membrane.

• Water will move from A to B. This is because solution A has a higher water potential (lower solute concentration) than solution B.

d) The membrane separating the two solutions A and B is called a partially permeable membrane (or semi-permeable membrane).

• Partially permeable membrane

e) An alternative setup to demonstrate osmosis is the thistle funnel experiment.

• Thistle funnel experiment using a visking tubing.

Question 24:

a)

• i) The peak of the pepsin curve is at approximately pH 2.
  • Optimum pH for Pepsin: 2
• ii) The peak of the pancreatic lipase curve is at approximately pH 8.
  • Optimum pH for Pancreatic lipase: 8

b)

• i) Pepsin works best in a strongly acidic medium (pH 2).
  • Pepsin
• ii) Pancreatic lipase works best in a slightly alkaline medium (pH 8).
  • Pancreatic lipase

c) The graph for "most enzymes" shows an optimum pH between 6 and 7. Two digestive enzymes that work best within this pH range are:

• Amylase
• Maltase

d) The normal pH of the stomach is highly acidic (around 1.5-3.5), which is optimal for pepsin activity. If the pH in the stomach increased to 7 (neutral), pepsin would become denatured or its activity would significantly decrease. This would lead to impaired protein digestion in the stomach.