Osmosis is the process by which molecules of a solvent tend to pass through a semipermeable membrane from a less concentrated solution into a more concentrated one, thus equalising the concentrations on each side.

- The solvent will move from a solution of lower concentration to a solution of higher concentration.

- The molecules move through the semipermeable membrane because the membrane has pores that allow the solvent to pass through.

- Osmosis is an important process in the transport of water and nutrients into and out of cells.

- If a cell is placed in a solution that has the same concentration as the cell, then the solution is known as isotonic solution and there will be no net movement of water into or out of the cell. This means the cell is in equilibrium with the solution and there is no osmotic pressure.

- If a cell is placed in a solution that has a higher concentration than the cell, then the solution is known as hypertonic and water will move out of the cell by osmosis. This means that the cell will shrink as water moves out.

- If a cell is placed in a solution that has a lower concentration than the cell, then the solution is known as hypotonic and water will move into the cell by osmosis. This means that the cell will swell as water moves in.

- The driving force for osmosis is the difference in solute concentrations between the two sides of the membrane. The greater the difference in concentration, the greater the osmotic pressure and the faster the rate of osmosis.