Solvent molecules diffusing across a selectively permeable membrane is defined as__________?
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Answer: A. Osmosis
Explanation
Osmosis describes solvent molecules diffusing across a selectively permeable membrane toward higher solute concentrations. This passive transport mechanism helps balance solute concentrations on both sides of cellular barriers. Water molecules move freely through membrane pores driven by thermodynamic chemical potential gradients. Selectively permeable membranes allow certain molecules to pass while restricting larger solute particles. Osmotic pressure prevents further net solvent movement across biological or synthetic membranes. Cell membranes rely on osmosis to maintain proper internal water balance and turgor pressure.
Plant cells maintain rigidity through osmotic pressure keeping vacuoles filled with water. Medical treatments utilize intravenous saline solutions designed to match human blood osmotic pressure. Water purification plants use reverse osmosis membranes to filter out dissolved salts and impurities. Cataphoresis involves charged particles migrating through a liquid medium under an electric field. Electrolysis uses direct electric current to drive non-spontaneous chemical decomposition reactions. Electrophoresis separates macromolecules like DNA based on size using applied electrical charges.
- Subject
- Everyday Science
- Category
- Everyday Science
- Topic
- —
- Difficulty
- medium
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