osmosis

can anyone here simply define the process of osmosis (without using google)?

a couple books i have define it as:
a process of passive transport of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from a hypertonic to a hypotonic solution until the water molecules are isotonic (equal concentration).

the net says something like:
low->high through a semi-permeable membrane

and some even say the high->low isn't fixed, meaning it could be low->high
hmm i'm confused. should i stick with my books definition?

>> 1
you're almost right

>> 2
another interpretation, but i think it won't make Anonymous get it.
 
>> 3
dumb piece of shit.

>> 4
read below


osmosis is a the process as you describe, where the NET diffusion is from the hypotonic to the hypertonic solution through a semipermeable membrane (this means a membrane through which water can diffuse but not the ionic species, which are the other reason for the osmotic pressure). Since this is a chemical equilibrium reaction the process goes both ways(= water diffuses from the hypertonic to the hypotonic AND vice versa), but as stated in the above the NET diffusion is from the hypertonic (higher concentration) to the hypotonic(lower concentration) side of the membrane).

bonus info: osmosis is from the greek work for 'push' hence it's treatment as a difference in pressure in thermodynamics.