Osmosis

What is Osmosis?

Osmosis is defined as the movement of water molecules from a region of higher water potential (dilute solution or lower concentration of the soluteA solute is the substance that is dissolved in a solvent to form a solution. It is usually present in a smaller amount compared to the solvent. Examples: • In a... More) to a region of lower water potential (higher concentration of the solute or concentration of the solution) through a semi-permeable/selectively permeablePermeability is a measure of the ability of a porous material (having small spaces or holes through which liquid or air may pass) to allow fluids to pass through it. More membrane.

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Osmosis is defined as the movement of water molecules from a dilute solution to a concentrated solution through a semi-permeable / selectively permeable membraneA semipermeable membrane is a layer that only certain molecules can pass through. Smaller molecules like water can pass but not the bigger molecules like solutes. It allows cells to keep... More.

If a concentrated solution is separated from the dilute solution by a semi-permeable membrane, water diffuses across the membrane from the dilute solution by the process of osmosis.

The weaker solution is said to be hypotonicHypotonic solution refers to a solution containing a lower solute concentration in comparison to the solute concentration in another solution, across a semipermeable membrane. Such a solution has a decreased solute... More and the stronger solution is described as hypertonicA hypertonic solution refers to a solution containing a higher solute concentration in comparison to the solute concentration in another solution, across a semipermeable membrane. More , when both solutions have the same concentration, they are described as isotonicAn isotonic solution is when two solutions, separated by a semipermeable membrane, have equal concentrations of solutes and water. More.

Osmosis provides the primary means by which water is transported into and out of cells.

Experiment - Osmosis in a Non–living System: