What is a simple definition of osmosis?

Question

I haven't studied this in years and I need a very simple definition of what it is.

Answer 1

water diffusing in and out of cell

Answer 2

Osmosis is diffusion of water through a membrane, and it happens naturally in a variety of biological processes. Water always moves from a region of high solute concentration to a region of low solute concentration. In fact, any fluid behaves this way, but osmosis only refers to water. As an example, this is why salt water dries out your skin; water osmoses out of your skin cells into the salt water, which has a higher concentration of solutes, mainly salt.

Answer 3

Osmosis is the diffusion of a solvent (frequently water) through a semi-permeable membrane, from a solution of low solute concentration (high water potential) to a solution with high solute concentration (low water potential), up a solute concentration gradient.

Answer 4

Osmosis can also be defined as water moving across a permeable membrane from an area of high water potential to low water potential. Botanists usually prefer to define it this way.

Pure water has a water potential of 0, and water that has solutes dissolved in it has a negative water potential... therefore the water will always move toward the area that has solutes dissolved in it.

Answer 5

os·mo·sis /ɒzˈmoʊsɪs, ɒs-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[oz-moh-sis, os-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. Physical Chemistry, Cell Biology. a. the tendency of a fluid, usually water, to pass through a semipermeable membrane into a solution where the solvent concentration is higher, thus equalizing the concentrations of materials on either side of the membrane.
b. the diffusion of fluids through membranes or porous partitions. Compare endosmosis, exosmosis.

2. a subtle or gradual absorption or mingling: He never studies but seems to learn by osmosis.

Answer 6

Osmosis is the diffusion of water from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Answer 7

Osmosis: the movement of water molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Answer 8

Osmosis is the movement of water from a low concentration (fewer solutes) to a higher concentration (more solutes).

Answer 9

the tendency of a fluid, usually water, to pass through a semipermeable membrane into a solution where the solvent concentration is higher, thus equalizing the concentrations of materials on either side of the membrane.
b. the diffusion of fluids through membranes or porous partitions

Answer 10

The flow of something from high concentration to low concentration (usually through a semi permeable membrane).