OSMOSIS

OSMOSIS in a sentence

• Plants absorb water from the soil through osmosis, allowing them to maintain hydration and nutrient intake.
• The science teacher demonstrated osmosis using a potato and a saltwater solution to show how water moves across cell membranes.
• Learning a new language can sometimes feel like osmosis; the more you immerse yourself, the more you absorb without realizing it.
• Fish regulate their internal salt and water balance through a process of osmosis that occurs across their gills.
• The chef explained that brining meat before cooking involves osmosis, where saltwater penetrates the meat to enhance its flavor and tenderness.
• During kidney function, osmosis plays a crucial role in filtering and reabsorbing water and essential nutrients from the blood.
• The high school students learned about osmosis in biology class, conducting experiments to observe how different solutions affect cell size.
• In a metaphorical sense, children often learn social behaviors through osmosis, absorbing attitudes and actions from their parents and peers.

Etymology of OSMOSIS

The term osmosis has its etymological roots in Greek and English, providing insights into its linguistic origins.

• Semantic Context: Osmosis refers to the spontaneous movement of solvent molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration, equalizing the concentrations on both sides of the membrane.
• Greek Influence: The term “osmosis” originates from the Greek word “osmos,” meaning “a push” or “a thrust.” In Greek, it denoted the process of pushing or driving fluid through a membrane.
• English Formation: “Osmosis” was formed in English by adopting the Greek root “osmos” and adding the suffix “-is” to describe the process of fluid movement across a membrane.
• Cultural Connotations: Osmosis carries cultural connotations of diffusion, equilibrium, and balance, as it describes a fundamental process in biology, chemistry, and various natural phenomena.
• Usage in Context: “Osmosis” is commonly used in scientific and academic contexts to describe the passive movement of molecules through membranes, as well as metaphorically to describe the gradual absorption or assimilation of ideas, information, or influences.

The term osmosis reflects its origins in Greek and its adoption into English, highlighting its role in describing the passive movement of molecules across membranes and its broader metaphorical usage in describing gradual assimilation or absorption processes.

Synonyms

• Diffusion
• Permeation
• Infiltration
• Filtering
• Penetration
• Absorption
• Seepage
• Suction

Antonyms

• Impermeability
• Disperse
• Convection
• Evaporation
• Desiccation
• Drying
• Ejection
• Expulsion