Net movement of water particles, from an area of higher water concentration, to an area of lower water concentration, across a partially permeable membrane
Osmosis is a passive process as it doesn’t require any energy from the cell
Partially permeable
Only some types of molecules can pass through the membrane - other types of molecules can’t pass through
What happens if you place a plant cell in a very salty solution
Higher water concentration within the plant cell than in the salty solution surrounding it
So water will move from the inside of the plant cell to the outside
This will cause the cell to shrink and become plasmolysed
What happens if you place a plant cell in a beaker of pure water
Lower water concentration within the plant cell
So water will move from the beaker into the plant cell
This will cause the cell to expand, and become turgid
