-Osmosis is the movement of water across a cell membrane. Cells use osmosis to maintain concentration equilibrium (the concentrations of solute inside and outside the cell are equal). Changing the amount of water allows the cells to achieve equilibrium.
Effects of osmosis on tissues:
-Red blood cells placed in a solution with a higher water concentration compared to their contents (eg pure water) will gain water by osmosis, swell up, and burst. Water will diffuse from a higher water concentration outside the cell to a lower water concentration inside the cell.
