Section: STEM · BiologyDifficulty: Medium
Osmosis
USUK
The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from low to high solute concentration.
Definition
Osmosis is the passive movement of water molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration (higher water concentration) to a region of higher solute concentration (lower water concentration). This continues until equilibrium is reached or osmotic pressure prevents further movement. Osmosis is critical in biology for maintaining cell turgor, kidney function, and nutrient absorption.
Example
“When vegetables are left in a salty brine, water moves out of the vegetable cells by osmosis toward the higher salt concentration outside, causing the vegetables to wilt and become limp.”
Synonyms
- water diffusion
- passive water transport
- solvent movement
Antonyms / Opposites
- reverse osmosis
Images
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Related Terms
- Diffusion
- Semipermeable Membrane
- Osmotic Pressure
- Cell Transport