Which direction does water move in osmosis?

Water moves during osmosis from areas of high water concentration to areas of low water concentration, which corresponds to areas of low solute concentration to areas of high solute concentration. This movement is driven by the need to balance solute concentrations on either side of a selectively permeable membrane. The goal of osmosis is to reach equilibrium, where the concentration of solute is uniform across the membrane.

In a biological context, this process is essential for maintaining cell turgor pressure and ensuring that cells function properly. For instance, if a cell is placed in a solution with a higher solute concentration (hypertonic solution), water will move out of the cell, potentially leading to cell shrinkage. Conversely, in a hypotonic solution (lower solute concentration), water moves into the cell, which can lead to cell swelling. Thus, understanding the direction of water movement in osmosis is crucial for comprehending various biological processes such as nutrient absorption and waste elimination.