Why is a semipermeable membrane necessary for reverse osmosis?

Biology

1 answer:

klemol [59]3 years ago

7 0

Explanation:

Semipermeable membranes in cells are usually made up of phospholipids. Via diffusion, small water molecules can move across the phospholipid bilayer acts as a semi-permeable membrane into the extracellular fluid or the cytoplasm which are both hydrophilic and contain large concentrations of polar water molecules or other water-soluble compounds.

Similarly via osmosis, the water passes through the membrane due to the difference in osmotic pressure on either side of the phospholipid bilayer, this means that the water moves from regions of high osmotic pressure/concentration to regions of low pressure/ concentration to a steady state.

Reverse osmosis, uses the process of osmosis, along with high pressure; it forces water molecules across a porous membrane. Only water passes through, as the larger salt, other solute molecules and microorganisms cannot fit through the pores of the semipermeable membrane. Additionally, applying pressure alters the pressure potential of the system and thus the water potential by creating a steep gradient; water molecules move from areas of high water potential to areas of lower water potential... The molecules cross the membrane, and the purified water is separated.

recall: water potential= pressure potential + solute potential

Learn more about plasma membrane transport at brainly.com/question/11410881

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