Endosmosis

Endosmosis is a process in which a solvent moves from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration through a semi-permeable membrane. This process is fundamental to the survival of cells, as it allows them to maintain a stable internal environment.

Overview

Endosmosis is a type of osmosis, a process that is vital for the survival of living cells. It allows cells to maintain a stable internal environment by controlling the movement of water and other substances in and out of the cell. In endosmosis, the solvent (usually water) moves from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. This movement occurs through a semi-permeable membrane, which allows certain substances to pass through while blocking others.

Process

The process of endosmosis begins when a cell is placed in a solution that has a higher solute concentration than the cell's interior. This creates a concentration gradient, which causes the solvent to move from the area of lower concentration (outside the cell) to the area of higher concentration (inside the cell). This movement of solvent continues until the concentrations on both sides of the membrane are equal, a state known as equilibrium.

Importance

Endosmosis is crucial for the survival of cells. It allows cells to maintain a stable internal environment, which is necessary for the proper functioning of cellular processes. Without endosmosis, cells would not be able to control the movement of water and other substances, which could lead to cell death.

See Also

• Osmosis
• Semi-permeable membrane
• Solute
• Solvent
• Equilibrium

Endosmosis Resources
Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials	Wikipedia