Question

Give two examples of endosmosis and exosmosis

Answer 1

Hint: The process by which solvent molecules pass through a semipermeable membrane from a region of low solute concentration to a region of high solute concentration is known as osmosis. It is a passive process.

Complete Step by Step Answer:
The term osmose (which is now known as osmosis ) was first used by Thomas Graham in the year 1854. In biology, osmosis is defined as the movement of water molecules from an area of higher concentration to a lower concentration through a biological membrane. This process will continue till it gets to its equilibrium state.

As we know the solution comprises solute and solvent. The solute is the substance to be dissolved while the solvent is the component that dissolves the solutes. The isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic solutions are three types of osmotic solutions. If the solute concentration remains the same both inside and outside the cell this is known as an isotonic solution. In a hypertonic solution, the solute concentration outside the cell is higher as compared to inside. While the hypotonic solution is just the opposite of the hypertonic solution which means a higher solute concentration is present inside the cell as compared to outside.

Types of osmosis: Osmosis is of two types endosmosis and exosmosis.

Examples of endosmosis: When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution the movement of water will take place from a region of higher concentration to a lower concentration through a semipermeable membrane. This is known as endosmosis or the inward movement of solvent molecules. Examples of endosmosis include swelling of raisins when put in normal water. The transportation of water through roots from soil to xylem vessels is another example of endosmosis.

Examples of exosmosis: When a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution the movement of water will take place from a region of higher concentration to a lower concentration through a semipermeable membrane. This is known as exosmosis or the outward movement of solvent molecules. Examples of exosmosis include the absorption of capillary water from the soil by roots and when raisins are put in salt water they become shrivel.

Note: Osmosis stabilizes the internal environment of living organisms as well as maintains the turgidity of the cell. Osmosis is a random and unidirectional biophysical process. Osmosis can take place between the two similar solution constituents. Osmotic pressure is the driving force that promotes osmosis.