osmotic pressure

views updated May 29 2018

osmotic pressure The pressure that is needed to prevent the passage of water or another pure solvent through a semi-permeable membrane separating the solvent from the solution. Osmotic pressure rises with an increase in concentration of the solution. Where two solutions of different substances or concentrations are separated by a semi-permeable membrane, the solvent will move to equalize osmotic pressure within the system. The concept has been largely replaced by that of water potential.

osmotic pressure

views updated May 29 2018

osmotic pressure The pressure that is needed to prevent the passage of water or another pure solvent through a semi-permeable membrane separating the solvent from the solution. Osmotic pressure rises with an increase in concentration of the solution. Where two solutions of different substances or concentrations are separated by a semi-permeable membrane, the solvent will move to equalize osmotic pressure within the system.

osmotic pressure

views updated May 17 2018

osmotic pressure The pressure needed to prevent the passage of water or other pure solvent through a semi-permeable membrane separating the solvent from the solution. Osmotic pressure rises with an increase in concentration of the solution. Where two solutions of different substances or concentrations are separated by a semi-permeable membrane, the solvent will move to equalize osmotic pressure within the system.

osmotic pressure

views updated May 29 2018

osmotic pressure The pressure required to prevent the passage of water through a semi‐permeable membrane from a region of low concentration of solutes to one of higher concentration, by osmosis.

osmotic pressure

views updated Jun 27 2018

osmotic pressure n. the pressure by which water is drawn into a solution through a semipermeable membrane; the more concentrated the solution, the greater its osmotic pressure.

pressure, osmotic

views updated May 29 2018

pressure, osmotic See osmotic pressure.

osmotic pressure

views updated May 29 2018

osmotic pressure See osmosis.