Daily Almanac for
Feb 12, 2012
Search: Infoplease Info search tips
Search: Biographies Bio search tips
| Share
 

Dictionary


os•mo•sis



Pronunciation: (oz-mō'sis, os-), [key]
—n.
1. Physical Chem., Cell Biol.
a. the tendency of a fluid, usually water, to pass through a semipermeable membrane into a solution where the solvent concentration is higher, thus equalizing the concentrations of materials on either side of the membrane.
b. the diffusion of fluids through membranes or porous partitions. Cf. endosmosis, exosmosis.
2. a subtle or gradual absorption or mingling: He never studies but seems to learn by osmosis.

Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.

osmoseosmotic pressure
    • Cite
    • Print
    • Bookmark
See also:

 

Related Content
A free, reliable Q&A site for homework help. Answerplease.com