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NEET UG 2026 » NEET UG Study Material » Biology » Exosmosis
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Exosmosis

Exosmosis is the passage of a solvent through a semipermeable membrane from within a cell, where there is a high concentration of solvent and a low concentration of solute, to outside a cell.

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Specifically, the processes of osmosis and diffusion play a critical role in this regard, generating transport systems across cells, which are required for the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the cells, as well as the elimination of toxic waste products from the cells, respectively.

Despite the fact that the fundamental notion of osmotic flow has been around since antiquity, it was not until 1748 that the French cleric and scientist Jean-Antoine Nollet was the first to chronicle the phenomenon.

As defined by the American Chemical Society, the process of osmosis, also known as reverse diffusion, is defined as the movement of a solvent across semipermeable membrane from a region of higher concentration of solute to a region of lower concentration of solvent, and the reverse movement of the solvent back across the membrane.

If the conditions are right and a semipermeable membrane is present, then osmosis can take place in biological systems with water as the solvent. However, osmosis can also take place with other liquids, including supercritical liquids, and even gases if the conditions are right and a semipermeable membrane is present.

Exosmosis Short Meaning

Exosmosis happens when cells are immersed in hypertonic liquids, which causes the cells to contract and shrink. When using isotonic solutions, there is no exosmosis or endosmosis to worry about.

Effect on RBC when placed in hypotonic, hypertonic, and isotonic solutions 

It is possible to describe endosmosis as a kind of osmosis in which the flow of a solvent is directed towards the interior of a vessel or a cell.

The phenomenon occurs when the water potential outside of the cell is higher than the water potential within the cytoplasm of the cell. 

Solute concentration in solution around a cell is less than solute concentration in the cytoplasm, as a result of this difference in concentration.

Endosmosis occurs when water molecules migrate through the cell membrane (which is semipermeable in nature) and into the cell, causing the cell to swell up and become turgid as a result of the water entering the cell and causing it to become turgid. 

An example of endosmosis occurring in nature can be seen in the absorption of capillary water by roots from the earth, which occurs in plants and results in the water entering the xylem (root capillary). 

When the direction of the water or solvent is outside of a vessel or cell, this is referred to as exosmosis. 

It occurs when the water potential on the outside of the cell is less than the water potential on the inside of the cell. 

Solute concentrations in solutions around cells are higher than solute concentrations in the cytoplasm, as a result of this difference in concentration.

During exosmosis, water molecules exit the cell through a semipermeable cell membrane, which allows them to travel outside of the cell. 

As a result of this, the cells contract, resulting in plasmolysis.

Exosmosis is defined as the osmosis of a cell or vessel toward the outside of the cell or vessel. 

It occurs when the water potential of the cell’s surroundings is less than the water potential of the cell’s interior. 

Hypertonic solutions are defined as those in which the solute concentration in the surrounding solution is greater than that in the cytoplasm, and these are the most common form of solution. 

Exosmosis is the process by which water molecules flow out of the cell and over the cell membrane.

Osmosis Examples

More instances of Osmosis can be found in the section below.

Osmosis is responsible for the absorption of water from the soil. Because the plant roots contain a higher concentration of water than the soil, the water is drawn into the roots.

Osmosis has an effect on the plant’s guard cells as well as the rest of the plant. In response to the presence of water in the plant cell walls, the guard cells swell up and the stomata open.

In the case of placing a freshwater or saltwater fish in water with varying salt concentrations, the fish will perish as a result of the entry or departure of water into or out of the fish’s cells.

Osmosis has a negative impact on those who are suffering from cholera. The bacteria that overpopulate the intestines cause the flow of absorption to be reversed, preventing water from being absorbed by the intestines, resulting in dehydration in the patient.

When the fingers are submerged in water for an extended period of time, they become pruney as a result of the movement of water through the cells of the body.

Conclusion

 In conclusion, we can say that endosmosis and exosmosis are two different types of osmosis since water molecules migrate through the cell membrane in both endosmosis and exosmosis. 

Endosmosis and exosmosis are the two types of osmosis in which the transport of water occurs across the cell membrane, and they are distinct from one another. 

Water is drawn into the cell through endosmosis when the cells are placed in a hypotonic solution and the cells are exposed to a hypotonic solution. 

When cells are placed in a hypotonic solution, exosmosis occurs, which is the flow of water out of the cell (also known as exocytosis). 

The primary difference between endosmosis and exosmosis is the direction in which water moves in each of the processes. 

Exosmosis is the opposite of endosmosis. Osmosis is a passive diffusion mechanism that cells use to transport water molecules across their cell membranes. 

Osmosis is a passive diffusion mechanism. In contrast to exosmosis, endosmosis is the movement of water into the cell, while exosmosis is the movement of water out of the cell. 

This is the most significant distinction between the two processes in the body. When cells are placed in hypotonic solutions, endosmosis is most commonly observed.

Exosmosis happens when cells are placed in hypertonic solutions, and it causes the cells to shrink as a result of the shrinking of the cells. 

Endosmosis causes the cells to expand as a result of the process.

Isotonic solutions have a water potential that is identical to that of the cytoplasm, and as a result, neither endosmosis nor exosmosis occur in these solutions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the NEET UG Examination Preparation.

What is osmosis, and how does it work?

Ans. The transfer of molecules from a region of lower concentration to a regi...Read full

What is endosmosis?

Ans. When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, endosmosis occurs, causing the water within the cell to migrate....Read full

What is Exosmosis?

Ans. In the case of a cell placed in a hypertonic solution, exosmosis is the flow of water outside the cells. When t...Read full

Give some examples of endosmosis.

Ans. There are several examples of endosmosis, including the swelling of raisins and grapes when placed in water, th...Read full

Give an example of Exosmosis.

Ans. Exosmosis occurs in plants and is characterised by the passage of water from root hair cells to cortical cells...Read full

Ans. The transfer of molecules from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration is referred to as osmosis. 

Endosmosis and exosmosis are two forms of osmosis that can occur in the body.

Ans. When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, endosmosis occurs, causing the water within the cell to migrate. The cell swells as a result of the movement of water within it.

Ans. In the case of a cell placed in a hypertonic solution, exosmosis is the flow of water outside the cells. When there is a lot of water moving about, the cell becomes floppy.

Ans. There are several examples of endosmosis, including the swelling of raisins and grapes when placed in water, the absorption of water by roots, and the absorption of water in the xylem vessels by roots.

Ans. Exosmosis occurs in plants and is characterised by the passage of water from root hair cells to cortical cells.

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