water potential
Pronunciation
Noun
B2 Upper-intermediate
Quick answer
A measure of how likely water is to move out of or into a solution or cell, used mainly to describe how water moves through plants.
Usage notes
Closely related to, but not identical to, osmosis, which describes the actual movement of water across a membrane.
Test yourself
Which word fits the gap? "Water moves from an area of high _____ to an area of low water potential across a cell membrane."
Answer: water potential
In your own words, what does "water potential" mean?
A measure of how likely water is to move out of or into a solution or cell, used mainly to describe how water moves through plants.
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