Answer.
Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from a region of high water concentration to a region of low water concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.
Osmosis is a special type of diffusion that involves the movement of water molecules only and not solute molecules. Osmosis takes place in cells across the cell membrane as well as across non-living membranes. The factors affects osmosis includes:-
1.Size of solute molecules: Osmosis’ occurs only when solute molecules are too large to pass through a semi-permeable membrane
2.Concentration Gradient: Osmosis occurs when two solutions of unequal solute concentration are separated by a semi-permeable membrane
3.Temperature: High temperatures increase movement of water molecules hence influence osmosis. However, too high temperatures denature proteins in cell membrane and osmosis stops
4. Pressure: Increase in pressure affects movement of water molecules. As pressure increases inside a plant cell, osmosis decreases
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