endosmosis

[ en-doz-moh-sis, -dos- ]

noun

1. Biology. osmosis toward the inside of a cell or vessel.
2. Physical Chemistry. the flow of a substance from an area of lesser concentration to one of greater concentration ( exosmosis ).

endosmosis

/ ˌɛndɒsˈmɒtɪk; ˌɛndɒsˈməʊsɪs; -dɒz-; -dɒz- /

noun

1. biology osmosis in which water enters a cell or organism from the surrounding solution Compare exosmosis

Derived Forms

• endosmotic, adjective
• ˌendosˈmotically, adverb

Other Words From

• en·dos·mot·ic [en-doz-, mot, -ik, -dos-], adjective
• endos·moti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of endosmosis¹

1830–40; Latinization of now obsolete endosmose < French; end-, osmosis

Example Sentences

Such a direct return may be considered to take place whenever the pressure upon the outside of the vessel wall is greater than that within the latter, or when the chemical composition of the fluids on the two sides of the filter permits endosmosis as well as exosmosis.

From Project Gutenberg

Endosmosis, en-dos-mō′sis, n. the passage of a fluid inwards through an organic membrane, to mix with another fluid inside—also En′dosmose.—n.

From Project Gutenberg

Upon the development of a cell in any living tissue, and its power of reproducing other cells, and upon its function of communicating by endosmosis and exosmosis with other like cells, depend all our success in propagating vegetables, whether from seeds or buds, and parts containing these.

From Project Gutenberg

During the storage of eggs the more aqueous white of egg yields by endosmosis a portion of its water to the more concentrated yolk, which thereby expands and renders its thin containing-membrane liable to rupture.

From Project Gutenberg

The current, by endosmosis, favours the passage of the solution into the hide-substance, and at the same time appears to assist the chemical combinations there occurring; hence a great reduction in the time required for the completion of the process.

From Project Gutenberg