Question

Osmosis is a type of
A. Imbibition of solution
B. Diffusion of solvent
C. Evaporation of water
D. Diffusion of solute

Answer 1

Hint: Cell membrane, surrounding the plant cell is permeable to water and substances in the solution. Plant cells have large vacuoles containing the vacuolar sap which is also responsible for the solute potential of the cell and in turn, determines the movement of molecules across the membrane.

Complete answer:
- Osmosis is a type of water diffusion across a differentially or semipermeable membrane. It is a passive process that occurs spontaneously, and hence the solvent molecules diffuse from the region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration through a semipermeable membrane.
- It is driven by two factors: 1. The concentration of dissolved solutes in a solution, 2. Pressure gradient. Both of these factors determine the chemical potential of water (the driving force). Water moves from a region of high chemical potential to a region of low chemical potential until equilibrium is achieved. At equilibrium, both the chambers should have the same water potential.
- Depending upon the osmotic concentrations of a solution with respect to another solution or cell sap, a solution can be termed as Hypotonic, Hypertonic, and Isotonic.

Therefore, the correct answer is (B) Diffusion of solvent.

Note:
- Hypotonic solution is a solution with a solute potential lesser than its surrounding.
- Hypertonic solution is a solution with a solute potential higher than its surrounding.
- Isotonic solution is a solution with equal solute potential with their surrounding.
-Factors affecting osmotic pressure:
1. Concentration of solute particles
2. Ionization of the solute molecule
3. Temperature
4. Hydration of the solute particles
- Equilibrium is a dynamic state in which the rate of forward and backward reaction is equal. It should not be confused with a steady-state.