The net movement of solvent molecules from a region of high solvent potential to a region of lower solvent potential through a partially or semi permeable m...
The net movement of solvent molecules from a region of high solvent potential to a region of lower solvent potential through a partially or semi permeable membrane is refer to as
Answer Details
The process described in the question is known as osmosis. Osmosis is the movement of solvent molecules (usually water) from an area of higher concentration (higher solvent potential) to an area of lower concentration (lower solvent potential) through a partially permeable membrane. The membrane allows the solvent molecules to pass through but does not allow solute molecules to pass through.
This process is important in biological systems, as cells are surrounded by partially permeable membranes. Osmosis allows cells to regulate their internal environment by controlling the movement of water and dissolved solutes across their membranes. For example, cells can take up water by osmosis to prevent dehydration, or release excess water by osmosis to prevent swelling and bursting.
In contrast, diffusion is the net movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, without the requirement for a semi-permeable membrane. Surface tension refers to the attractive forces between molecules at the surface of a liquid that cause the surface to behave like an elastic membrane. Cohesion is the attraction between molecules of the same substance.