Define osmosis.

Osmosis is the net movement of free water molecules from an area of higher water potential to an area of lower water potential through a partially permeable membrane.
Water potential = a measure of the number of free water molecules there are in a solution.Partially permeable membrane = a membrane with tiny holes in it that allows tiny molecules such as water to pass through"Net" because the water molecules move in both both directions, but move in one direction more than the other."Free" because only the water molecules that are not attached to any solutes in the solution can pass through the membrane."Higher" and lower", not just "high" and low", because the water potential can be low in one solution but even lower in the other solution and osmosis will still occur.

AA
Answered by Archie A. Biology tutor

4786 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

1a) Give 3 structures that an animal cell would contain and describe their function? 1b) Name 3 different structures that a plant cell contains which an animal cell would not.


What is the difference between phenotype and genotype?


Using a diagram, outline the path the blood takes through the human body, starting with the aorta and identifying the major vessels and chambers of the heart.


How are different species formed?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences