Osmosis

Osmosis is the net diffusion of water across a membrane, or the passage of water from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration through a partially permeable membrane.

Osmotic pressure is the pressure that must be applied to a solution to prevent net flow of water in response to an osmotic gradient. The greater the osmolarity, the greater the osmotic pressure.

Osmolarity is the total concentration of a solution, which determines the water concentration in the solution. Higher osmolarity results in lower water concentration.

<p>Tonicity is a term used frequently in a medical context and refers to the effect of a solution on cell volume. It is often misunderstood as it is defined in at least three different ways.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Aquaporins are a group of membrane proteins that form channels through which water can diffuse across the plasma membrane.</p> Signup and view all the answers