Tuesday 30 December 2008

Osmosis



Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a region of higher water potential to a lower water potential through a partially permeable membrane.

The water potential of pure water is zero. When solutes are added to water potential goes down. I.E becomes a negative value.

A partially permeable membrane is a membrane that only allows small molecules through.

Water potential is measured in kilopascals (kPa)

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