Osmosis is used in various biological systems to facilitate the movement of water and maintain cellular balance.
Osmosis in Plant Cells
- When a plant cell is placed in a hypotonic solution (a solution with a lower solute concentration compared to the cell's cytoplasm), water enters the cell through osmosis.
- This influx of water causes the cell to swell and become turgid. Turgidity is essential for maintaining the plant's rigidity and structure.
Osmosis in Human Cells
- Osmosis plays a vital role in human cells by facilitating the movement of water across cell membranes.
- This process is crucial for maintaining cell volume, nutrient transport, and waste removal.
- Water balance in the body depends on osmosis.
Summary of Osmosis Use
| Organism | Use |
|---|---|
| Plants | Maintaining cell turgor, structural support |
| Humans | Water movement across cell membranes, maintaining cell volume |
