In: Biology
What is osmosis in biology
Osmosis is the movement of the solvent from its region of higher concentration to lower concentration through a semi-permeable membrane. In biological systems, the cell membrane is a semi-permeable membrane i.e. it allows movement of substances selectively. When solvent like water move in or out of the cell, osmosis takes place.
When a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution i.e. a solution in which the solute concentration is more and solvent concentration is less than that of the cell, then the solvent starts moving out of the cell through the cell membrane.
When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution i.e. a solution in which the solute concentration is less and solvent concentration is more than that of the cell, then the solvent starts moving into the cell through the cell membrane.
In an isotonic solution, where the solvent concentration is equal in both sides of the cell membrane, there is no net movement of solvent molecules.
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