Osmosis:
* Egg shell: The shell of an egg is porous, allowing water to pass through.
* Concentration gradient: When an egg is placed in a solution with a different concentration of water than the inside of the egg, water will move across the membrane to try and equalize the concentrations.
* Example: If you place an egg in pure water, water will move into the egg (higher concentration of water outside the egg). This causes the egg to swell and even potentially burst. If you place an egg in a concentrated salt solution, water will move out of the egg (higher concentration of water inside the egg), causing the egg to shrink.
Diffusion:
* Gas exchange: The egg shell also allows for the diffusion of gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide.
* Concentration gradient: Oxygen from the surrounding air diffuses into the egg, while carbon dioxide produced by the developing chick diffuses out.
* Example: This is why a fertilized egg needs to be kept in a well-ventilated area to ensure the chick has enough oxygen to survive.
Overall:
Osmosis and diffusion play essential roles in the life of an egg. They allow for the transport of water and gases, which are crucial for the development of the chick inside the egg.
