BLG1501
Assignment 2 Semester 1 2025
Unique #:225234
Due Date: 11 April 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, QUESTION 1
1.1
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth's surface. It
occurs when the sun's energy reaches the Earth in the form of sunlight, which is
absorbed by the surface and then radiated back into the atmosphere as heat.
Some of this heat is trapped by gases in the atmosphere known as greenhouse
gases, which include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), water vapor (H2O),
nitrous oxide (N2O), and ozone (O3). These gases allow sunlight to enter the
atmosphere but prevent the heat from escaping back into space. As a result, the
Earth's temperature rises, maintaining conditions suitable for life.
While the greenhouse effect is a necessary and natural process for life on Earth,
human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have
increased the concentration of these gases, particularly CO2. This leads to an
enhanced greenhouse effect, causing global temperatures to rise beyond natural
levels, resulting in climate change. The enhanced greenhouse effect is the
primary driver of global warming and its associated environmental challenges.
1.2
Hypertonic Solution: A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of
solutes compared to the inside of a cell. When a cell is placed in a
hypertonic solution, water will move out of the cell (through osmosis) to
balance the concentration gradient, causing the cell to shrink or undergo
plasmolysis.
Hypotonic Solution: A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of
solutes compared to the inside of a cell. When a cell is placed in a
hypotonic solution, water will move into the cell, causing it to swell and
possibly burst (lyse) due to the excessive intake of water.
Isotonic Solution: An isotonic solution has the same concentration of
solutes as the inside of a cell. In an isotonic environment, there is no net
movement of water into or out of the cell, and the cell maintains its normal
shape and size.
1.3
Varsity Cube 2024 +27 81 278 3372
Assignment 2 Semester 1 2025
Unique #:225234
Due Date: 11 April 2025
Detailed solutions, explanations, workings
and references.
+27 81 278 3372
, QUESTION 1
1.1
The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth's surface. It
occurs when the sun's energy reaches the Earth in the form of sunlight, which is
absorbed by the surface and then radiated back into the atmosphere as heat.
Some of this heat is trapped by gases in the atmosphere known as greenhouse
gases, which include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), water vapor (H2O),
nitrous oxide (N2O), and ozone (O3). These gases allow sunlight to enter the
atmosphere but prevent the heat from escaping back into space. As a result, the
Earth's temperature rises, maintaining conditions suitable for life.
While the greenhouse effect is a necessary and natural process for life on Earth,
human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have
increased the concentration of these gases, particularly CO2. This leads to an
enhanced greenhouse effect, causing global temperatures to rise beyond natural
levels, resulting in climate change. The enhanced greenhouse effect is the
primary driver of global warming and its associated environmental challenges.
1.2
Hypertonic Solution: A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of
solutes compared to the inside of a cell. When a cell is placed in a
hypertonic solution, water will move out of the cell (through osmosis) to
balance the concentration gradient, causing the cell to shrink or undergo
plasmolysis.
Hypotonic Solution: A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of
solutes compared to the inside of a cell. When a cell is placed in a
hypotonic solution, water will move into the cell, causing it to swell and
possibly burst (lyse) due to the excessive intake of water.
Isotonic Solution: An isotonic solution has the same concentration of
solutes as the inside of a cell. In an isotonic environment, there is no net
movement of water into or out of the cell, and the cell maintains its normal
shape and size.
1.3
Varsity Cube 2024 +27 81 278 3372
