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Dictionary » W » Water potential

Water potential

Definition

noun

The measure of the relative tendency of water to move from one area to another, and is commonly represented by the Greek letter Ψ (Psi).


Supplement

Water potential is caused by osmosis, gravity, mechanical pressure, or matrix effects including surface tension. It is useful in understanding water movements within plants, animals, and soil.


Word origin: potential » Late Latin potentiālis, powerful, from Latin potentia, power.

Compare: Osmotic Potential.
See also: osmosis.


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Re: Hypotonic/Isotonic Solution Question?

Osmosis is the diffusion of water through a semi-permeable membrane, from a low concentrate solution (high water potential) to a highly concentrated solution (low water potential), up a solute concentration gradient. [...] ...

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by chib4
Sun Jul 05, 2009 7:45 am
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: Hypotonic/Isotonic Solution Question?
Replies: 4
Views: 423

aerobic and anaerobic glucose degeneration in a cell

... these electrons onto Oxygen which combines with hydrogen ions to create water. The proton gradient has created a high concentration of proton ions ... to low concentration we can think of the proton gradient as having high potential energy. The protein that utilizes this energy is called ATP Synthase ...

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by Jesse2504
Tue Jun 23, 2009 3:43 am
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: aerobic and anaerobic glucose degeneration in a cell
Replies: 2
Views: 266

Transpiration - please help!

You should know what water potential and diffusion means, both terms are used in the accepted model to describe water evaporating from ...

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by mith
Sun Mar 08, 2009 8:32 pm
 
Forum: Botany Discussion
Topic: Transpiration - please help!
Replies: 4
Views: 942

Transpiration - please help!

... to describe transpiration. It emphasizes the importance of (lowering) water potential and my first question is: what role does water potential (and please describe water ...

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by thewax
Sun Mar 08, 2009 1:15 am
 
Forum: Botany Discussion
Topic: Transpiration - please help!
Replies: 4
Views: 942

Re: Urgent homework help needed - DNA extraction practical

... a particular pH, so you make a buffer to utilize the enzyme's maximum potential. 2) What is the correct term of "breaking down" of the ... happens to proteins in high temperatures, why? 6) DNA is soluble in water. What effect does the alcohol have on the DNA? Give a reason for your ...

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by GeGnome
Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:45 pm
 
Forum: Genetics
Topic: Urgent homework help needed - DNA extraction practical
Replies: 4
Views: 1049
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