Imbibition vs. Osmosis — What's the Difference?

Non-selective process.

Movement of water through a semipermeable membrane.

Absorption of water causing swelling.

Essential for life processes.

No membrane required.

Can involve passive or active transport.

Driven by capillary forces.

Maintains cell volume and internal environment.

Common in nature and industry.

Selective process based on solute concentration.

Imbibition is a special type of diffusion that takes place when water is absorbed by solids-colloids causing an increase in volume. Examples include the absorption of water by seeds and dry wood.

Osmosis (, US also ) is the spontaneous net movement or diffusion of solvent molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from a region of high water potential (region of lower solute concentration) to a region of low water potential (region of higher solute concentration), in the direction that tends to equalize the solute concentrations on the two sides. It may also be used to describe a physical process in which any solvent moves across a selectively permeable membrane (permeable to the solvent, but not the solute) separating two solutions of different concentrations.

The act of imbibing.

Diffusion of fluid through a semipermeable membrane from a solution with a low solute concentration to a solution with a higher solute concentration. Osmosis ceases when there is an equal solute concentration on both sides of the membrane.

(Chemistry) Absorption of fluid by a colloid or porous solid that often results in swelling.

The tendency of fluids to diffuse in such a manner.

The act of imbibing.

A gradual, often unconscious process of assimilation or absorption

The act or process of imbibing, or absorbing; as, the post-mortem imbibition of poisons.

(chemistry) The net movement of solvent molecules, usually water, from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration through a partially permeable membrane.

(chemistry) the absorption of a liquid by a solid or gel

(figurative) Passive absorption or impartation of information, habits, etc.; the act of teaching or picking up knowledge incidentally, without actually seeking that particular knowledge.

The act of consuming liquids

The tendency in fluids to mix, or become equably diffused, when in contact. It was first observed between fluids of differing densities, and as taking place through a membrane or an intervening porous structure. An older term for the phenomenon was Osmose.

Diffusion of molecules through a semipermeable membrane from a place of higher concentration to a place of lower concentration until the concentration on both sides is equal

No, imbibition generally does not require energy as it is driven by capillary forces.

Osmosis is the movement of water through a semipermeable membrane from an area of low to high solute concentration.

Imbibition is the absorption of water by solids, causing them to swell.

Imbibition involves water absorption by solids leading to swelling, without a membrane, while osmosis requires a semipermeable membrane and involves water movement based on solute concentration.

Osmosis can be passive, requiring no energy, or active, requiring energy in certain cases.

While typically associated with water, imbibition can occur with any liquid that has an affinity for the solid material.

A semipermeable membrane is a barrier that allows certain molecules or ions to pass through it by diffusion and occasionally specialized "facilitated diffusion."

Osmotic pressure is the pressure required to prevent the inward flow of water across a semipermeable membrane.

In imbibition, the affinity between the absorbent material and water is key, while in osmosis, the solute concentration gradient across the membrane drives the process.

Yes, osmosis can be observed in artificial systems using membranes that mimic biological semipermeable membranes.

Swelling of wooden furniture joints for a tight fit is a practical application of imbibition.

Osmosis is crucial for nutrient uptake and maintaining turgor pressure in plants, affecting their health and growth.

Osmosis balances the inflow and outflow of water, maintaining stable cell volume and internal conditions.

Imbibition causes seeds to swell, breaking the seed coat and initiating germination.

Active osmosis requires energy for water to move against the concentration gradient, whereas passive osmosis does not require energy, following the concentration gradient.