Definition of Osmosis: Osmosis is a scientific term referring to the process by which molecules of a solvent (typically water) pass through a semipermeable membrane from a less concentrated solution into a more concentrated one. This process equalizes the concentrations on each side of the membrane. Osmosis is a fundamental process in the biological and chemical fields, playing a vital role in the transport of nutrients and the release of waste products in cells.
Etymology and Origin: The term “osmosis” originates from the Greek word “ὠσμός” (osmos), which means “push” or “thrust.”
- Greek Roots: The Greek “ὠσμός” (osmos) was related to the action of pushing or impelling. It was initially used in the context of a force or impulse.
- Scientific Adoption: The term was first used in English in the scientific context by the British chemist Thomas Graham in the 19th century. He applied the term “osmosis” to describe the movement of solvent molecules through a membrane, metaphorically using the Greek concept of impelling or pushing to explain how solvent molecules move toward a higher concentration of solute.
The concept of osmosis, as it is understood in modern science, thus combines the Greek root with a fundamental physical process, illustrating the movement of solvent molecules in response to concentration differences.
