What is the Difference Between Endosmosis and Exosmosis?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

Endosmosis and exosmosis are two types of osmosis, which is the movement of water molecules across a semipermeable membrane from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration. The main differences between endosmosis and exosmosis are:

  1. Direction of water movement: Endosmosis is the movement of water into the cell, while exosmosis is the movement of water out of the cell.
  2. Solution types: Endosmosis occurs when a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution (having a lower solute concentration than the cell), causing water to move into the cell and swell. Exosmosis occurs when a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution (having a higher solute concentration than the cell), causing water to move out of the cell and shrink.
  3. Osmotic pressure: Endosmosis occurs when there is lower osmotic pressure, while exosmosis occurs when the osmotic pressure is higher.

In summary, endosmosis is the movement of water into a cell, typically in a hypotonic solution, resulting in the swelling of the cell. On the other hand, exosmosis is the movement of water out of a cell, typically in a hypertonic solution, resulting in the shrinking of the cell.

Comparative Table: Endosmosis vs Exosmosis

Here is a table comparing the differences between endosmosis and exosmosis:

Feature Endosmosis Exosmosis
Direction of solvent Solvent moves into the cell (Endo = inside) Solvent moves out of the cell (Exo = outside)
Occurs when There is lower osmotic pressure The osmotic pressure is higher
Solution Hypotonic solutions induce endosmosis in cells Hypertonic solutions induce exosmosis in cells
Cell behavior Cells swell and expand due to water moving into the cell Cells shrink and become flaccid due to water moving out of the cell
Osmosis towards Inside of a cell Outside of a cell

Endosmosis occurs when cells are placed in hypotonic solutions, causing the cells to expand, while exosmosis happens when cells are placed in hypertonic liquids, causing them to shrink. There is no exosmosis or endosmosis in isotonic liquids.