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Osmotic pressure

Definition

noun

A hydrostatic pressure caused by a difference in the amounts of solutes between solutions that are separated by a semi-permeable membrane.


Supplement

Osmotic pressure reduces water potential, which is the tendency of water moving from one area to another. Thus, it is necessary in plant cells for turgidity and support.


See also: hydrostatic pressure, Osmotic Potential, osmosis.

User Contributions / Comments:

  • The osmotic pressure is defined to be the pressure required to maintain an equilibrium, with no net movement of solvent.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmosis)


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Tonicity Explanation

... solutes that cannot cross the membrane, as only these solutes exert an osmotic pressure upon that membrane. Permeant solutes do not affect tonicity; impermeant solutes do ...

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by bryanwilliamz
Tue Jun 16, 2009 10:45 am
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: Tonicity Explanation
Replies: 7
Views: 828

Why drinking water will decrease osmotic pressure in blood?

Why drinking water will decrease osmotic pressure in blood?

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by derek0o0
Sat Jan 24, 2009 4:05 pm
 
Forum: Human Biology
Topic: Why drinking water will decrease osmotic pressure in blood?
Replies: 1
Views: 902

Re: Glucose equilibrium within a cell

... readily use glucose as an energy source. Also glucose increases the osmotic pressure of extracellular fluid dehydrating the body that's why diabetics drink so much water. ...

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by canan5000
Sat Jan 03, 2009 9:51 pm
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: Glucose equilibrium within a cell
Replies: 4
Views: 1002

Iso-osmotic Vs Isotonic :?:

... hypertonic to the left side, meaning the right side has more solute Iso osmotic however compares many solutes at one time in an interacting environment. ... for they all exert the same osmotic force. 0.3 = 0.3 , the same osmotic pressure. Okay lets change it up a little. left side of membrane: ...

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by mfs3
Sun Oct 12, 2008 1:21 am
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: Iso-osmotic Vs Isotonic :?:
Replies: 8
Views: 12289

Re: The Effect of pH on the Plant Cell Membrane

... pH rather than concentrations... And you should take into account osmotic pressure. If your solution is too dilute you might be seeing cells exploding under to high ...

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by canalon
Wed Oct 08, 2008 3:15 pm
 
Forum: Molecular Biology
Topic: The Effect of pH on the Plant Cell Membrane
Replies: 6
Views: 2753
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