Exosmosis

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Exosmosis is a biological and physical process that involves the movement of a solvent from an area of lower solute concentration, through a semipermeable membrane, to an area of higher solute concentration. This process is fundamental to the survival of cells in living organisms, as it helps to maintain the balance of water and solutes in their bodies.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Exosmosis is a type of osmosis, which is a natural process that occurs in living organisms. It is the movement of a solvent (usually water) from an area of lower solute concentration, through a semipermeable membrane, to an area of higher solute concentration. This process is essential for the survival of cells, as it helps to maintain the balance of water and solutes in their bodies.

Process[edit | edit source]

The process of exosmosis begins when a cell is placed in a solution that has a higher solute concentration than the cell itself. The water inside the cell will then start to move out of the cell, through the cell's semipermeable membrane, and into the surrounding solution. This movement of water continues until the concentration of solutes inside and outside the cell is equal, at which point the process of exosmosis stops.

Importance[edit | edit source]

Exosmosis plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of water and solutes in the bodies of living organisms. Without this process, cells could become dehydrated or overly hydrated, which could lead to cell damage or death. In addition, exosmosis also plays a role in the transport of nutrients and waste products in and out of cells.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Exosmosis Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD