Osmosis
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Introduction
Osmosis is a type of diffusion that most cells undergo. It is the diffusion of small molecules from a region of high concentration, through a semi-permeable membrane, to a region of low concentration (Purchon, pg 1).
For further clarification, a semi-permeable membrane is a very thin layer of material, which allows some things to pass through but prevents other things from passing through (Purchon, pg1). Think about a net, such as a fisherman's net. The fisherman will be able to catch the larger fish because of their sizes, while the smaller fish can slip through to freedom. A region of high concentration refers to very dilute solution of something, like sucrose or pure water (Purchon, pg 1). A region of low concentration refers to a concentrated solution of something like sucrose (Purchon, pg 1).
Osmosis is a fundamental type of diffusion for most biological systems. It is applied to water purification and desalination, waste material treatment, and many other chemical and biochemical laboratory and industrial processes (Lachish, pg1)
When osmosis is in process, molecules are being pushed back and forth, causing pressure on either side to occur. When this pressure is causing a necessary reverse to osmosis it is called osmotic pressure (Logan, pg 2)...