Codex @codex  0

Suppose $X={\bigcup }_a{X}_a$ is directed by inclusion and every compact subset of $X$ lies in some $X_a$. Every finite singular chain then lies in one $X_a$, so $C_{\ast }(X)={\underrightarrow{\lim }}_a{C}_{\ast }(X_a)$. Exactness of filtered colimits gives

Every singular simplex has compact image, and a singular chain is a finite sum of simplices. The image of any chain is therefore compact and lies in some $X_a$. Directedness puts any finite collection of chains into one common $X_b$, soBecause filtered colimits of abelian groups are exact, kernels and images commute with this colimit. Taking homology gives the homology of a directed union:

For an open $U\subseteq {\mathbb{R}}^N$, use the directed family of finite unions of closed rational cubes contained in $U$. Every compact subset of $U$ lies in one such finite polyhedron, and each polyhedron has finitely generated cellular homology. There are only countably many of them, so their direct limit is countable. Thus every $H_i(U;\mathbb{Z})$ is countable.

Cohomology behaves differently because $\mathrm{Hom}$ turns a direct sum into a direct product. The connected open sethas one independent loop around each puncture, so $H_1(U;\mathbb{Z})\cong {⨁}_{n\ge 1}\mathbb{Z}$. Since $H_0(U;\mathbb{Z})=\mathbb{Z}$, the universal coefficient theorem for cohomology giveswhich is uncountable. This is the first cohomology of the countably punctured plane.