Osmotic pressure

Definition

Osmotic pressure is the pressure required to prevent the flow of water across a semipermeable membrane due to osmosis. It is a crucial factor in maintaining cellular and systemic fluid balance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Osmotic pressure is directly proportional to the concentration of solutes in a solution.
2. It plays an essential role in regulating water movement between cells and their environment.
3. In plants, osmotic pressure helps maintain turgor pressure, which is important for structural support.
4. High osmotic pressure can cause cells to shrink (crenate) as water leaves the cell, while low osmotic pressure can cause cells to swell or burst (lyse).
5. Osmoregulators are organisms that actively control osmotic pressure to maintain homeostasis.

Review Questions

Related terms

Osmosis: The passive movement of water molecules through a semipermeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration.

Turgor Pressure: The internal pressure exerted by water inside a plant cell's central vacuole against the cell wall, providing structural support.

Homeostasis:

The process by which organisms regulate their internal environment to maintain stable, optimal conditions despite external changes.