What is the direction of water movement in osmosis?

In osmosis, water moves from an area of lesser concentration of solute to an area of greater concentration of solute. This movement occurs through a selectively permeable membrane that allows water molecules to pass while restricting the movement of solute molecules. The goal of osmosis is to achieve equilibrium by diluting the more concentrated solution, thereby balancing the concentrations on both sides of the membrane.

This process is vital for maintaining cellular homeostasis and is a fundamental concept in biology. For instance, when a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution (one that has a higher concentration of solutes outside the cell), water will leave the cell to balance the solute concentrations, leading to cell shrinkage. Conversely, if a cell is in a hypotonic solution (with a lower concentration of solutes outside), water will enter the cell, potentially causing it to swell.

Understanding osmosis helps explain various physiological processes, such as nutrient absorption, waste removal, and the overall fluid balance within organisms.