Now available: Electrolytes Pure – for daily mineral supply & fast rehydration Now available: Electrolytes Pure – for daily mineral supply & fast rehydration
Go to homepage
€0.00
artgerecht Home Home

Osmosis - definition, function and meaning in biology

Osmosis is the transport of water through a semi-permeable membrane. Find out how this process is used in biology, technology and medicine.

Interested in regular tips & information about health? Interested in regular tips & information about health?
Lexicon: O
Osmosis
0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Start Page | Table of Contents
Lexicon Navigation
0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Start Page Table of Contents

Wissenswertes über "Osmosis"

Osmosis is the transport of water through a semi-permeable membrane. Find out how this process is used in biology, technology and medicine.

Osmosis is a physical-chemical process in which water or other solvents migrate through a semi-permeable membrane from a solution with a lower concentration to a solution with a higher concentration. This process equalises concentration differences between two liquids and plays an essential role in biological, chemical and technical applications.

Osmosis in biology

In biological systems, osmosis is crucial for cell metabolism, the regulation of the water balance and the transport of nutrients. Examples of biological osmosis are:

  • Cell membranes: Water diffuses in and out of cells to equalise osmotic pressure.
  • Plant cells: Water uptake by osmosis provides the internal cell pressure (turgor) that gives plants stability.
  • Kidney function: The filtration and recovery of water in the kidneys takes place via osmotic processes.

Osmosis in technology and industry

Osmosis is used in many technical and industrial areas:

  • Reverse osmosis: A water treatment process in which high pressure is used to separate pure water from contaminants.
  • Food industry: Osmotic processes are used in the preservation and processing of food.
  • Medical applications: Osmotic principles are used in dialysis processes and drug release.

Osmotic pressure and its significance

Osmotic pressure is the force created by the movement of the solvent. If this pressure is disturbed in biological systems, cell shrinkage (plasmolysis) or cell swelling (cytolysis) can occur.

Osmosis is therefore a fundamental mechanism that plays a central role both in nature and in technical processes.

Die neusten Einträge

3 Posts in this encyclopedia category

Internal Shower

The Internal Shower drink is a viral wellness trend made with chia seeds, water, and lemon juice.
Read more

ALT Level

The ALT level – also known as GPT (alanine aminotransferase) – is a liver enzyme mainly found in liver cells and plays a key role in amino acid metabolism.
Read more

Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is a fresh cheese with a curd-like texture, made by coagulating pasteurized milk with lactic acid bacteria and rennet.
Read more

Die meistgelesenen Einträge

3 Posts in this encyclopedia category

Cologne list

The Cologne List ® is an important initiative in competitive sports that offers athletes guidance in the selection of nutritional supplements.
Read more

Lactoferrin CLN®

Lactoferrin CLN® is a highly pure, bioactive protein to support iron deficiency, infections and intestinal diseases - immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory and versatile.
Read more

L-leucine

An essential branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) that supports protein synthesis and muscle building.
Read more

Verwandte Suchbegriffe: Osmosis

COOKIE SETTINGS

We use cookies to make it easier for you to use the website and to improve our products. You decide which cookies you accept or reject. You can change your decision at any time in the website settings.