Osmosis?

Can someone explain in simple terms what osmosis is?

I can't understand it in my textbook or wikipedia.

Aprecciate it ZU.

Okay, osmosis is basically the net flow of water through a partially permeable membrane (ie. a membrance that allows molecules to pass through it) via diffusion - diffusion in this case describes how the water will go from the side that has the lowest solute density to the side with the higher concentration.

This is because the membrane is only semi-permeable - that is, it allows water molecules to pass through it, but not the solute. So, if we've got a hypothetical case whereby water is flowing through a membrane on both sides, water from the side with the highest concentration of solute ends up passing through the wall at a slower rate.

Hence, this means that the net flow of water is from the side with the low solute density to an area of high solute concentration.

Hey, why was my post deleted? I answered his question. Osmosis is also the main character of the movie Osmosis Jones. :/

He's asking about the process of osmosis (hence the referance to a textbook), not the character. Thus no, you didn't answer his actual question at all.

Originally Posted by Zoltar

Can someone explain in simple terms what osmosis is?

I can't understand it in my textbook or wikipedia.

Aprecciate it ZU.

I don't see the word process at all in there.

I figured he may have meant that, but I didn't think there was any harm in giving the second meaning.

Originally Posted by Crystal

I don't see the word process at all in there.

I figured he may have meant that, but I didn't think there was any harm in giving the second meaning.

what osmosis is

What, not who.

in my textbook

Textbook often refers to a school book. Osmosis, the character, would not be in such a book.

I still did not see any harm in giving the second meaning. Now please, I'm being given enough **** today, Dave. Not that you're doing any right now, I just don't want to get even more annoyed than I already am.

EDIT: Oh, and for the record, Osmosis the character COULD be referred to as a what, since he is a cell.

Named after the osmosis process, which is what the OP asked about. Not a cartoon character. Now shush it unless you have something to add to help Zoltar. That goes for all of you. :3 Yes, that includes answering this post.

Originally Posted by Astarael

Okay, osmosis is basically the net flow of water through a partially permeable membrane (ie. a membrance that allows molecules to pass through it) via diffusion - diffusion in this case describes how the water will go from the side that has the lowest solute density to the side with the higher concentration.

This is because the membrane is only semi-permeable - that is, it allows water molecules to pass through it, but not the solute. So, if we've got a hypothetical case whereby water is flowing through a membrane on both sides, water from the side with the highest concentration of solute ends up passing through the wall at a slower rate.

Hence, this means that the net flow of water is from the side with the low solute density to an area of high solute concentration.

Thanks to you I passed my exam!!

Originally Posted by Zoltar

Thanks to you I passed my exam!!

Awesome, I'm glad I could help! ^_^