8 Top-Rated Difference between Endosmosis and Exosmosis with Table

calendarJul 30, 2022 · 3 min read  ·
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What is the difference between endosmosis and exosmosis?

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane. It can either be endosmosis or exosmosis.

The core difference between endosmosis and exosmosis is that endosmosis involves the movement of water into the cell via cell membrane while exosmosis is the movement of water out of the cell via the cell membrane.

Difference between Endosmosis and Exosmosis

What Is Endosmosis?

Endosmosis refers to the movement of water into the cell via a semi-permeable membrane. It occurs when the level of water in the surrounding environment is higher than that of the cell.

A hypotonic solution is responsible for inducing endosmosis and this could result in cell turgidity. The process of endosmosis help plant to absorb water via root hairs.

What Is Exosmosis?

Exosmosis refers to the movement of water out of the cell via the cell membrane. The condition happens since the level of solute concentration in the cytosol is lower than that of the surrounding environment.

The process makes the cell shrink and this can be restored by placing the cell in a hypotonic solution. Therefore, a hypertonic solution is responsible for cell shrinkage.

Plasmolysis of the cell can occur when the cell is placed in a strong hypertonic solution. This makes the cell to die since the cell become dehydrated.

Comparison Chart: Endosmosis vs Exosmosis

Basic TermsEndosmosisExosmosis
DefinitionRefers to osmosis towards the inside of the cellRefer to osmosis towards outside of the cell
Water MovementMoves into the cellMoves out of the cell
Type of SolutionsHypotonic solutionHypertonic solution
Solute ConcentrationSolute concentration inside the cell is higher than that of the surroundingsSolute concentration outside the cell is higher than that inside the cell
Water PotentialThe water potential of the cytosol is higher than the surrounding.Water potential of the cytosol is lower than the surrounding
ResultCell turgidityCell shrinkage
Human significanceCauses intoxicationCauses dehydration
ExamplesThe absorption of capillary water from the soil by roots and the entrance of water into the xylem vessels.The movement of water from the root hair cells to the cortical cells of the root.

Core Difference between Exosmosis and Endosmosis

  • Endosmosis is the movement of water into the cell while exosmosis is the movement of water out of the cell.
  • Endosmosis is where the cell has high solute concentration while exosmosis is where the cell has a low solute concentration
  • The water potential in endosmosis is higher outside the cell while in exosmosis is higher inside the cell
  • Endosmosis results in cell turgidity and bursting of the cell while exosmosis results in cell shrinkage and plasmolysis.
  • Hypertonic solution induces exosmosis while hypotonic solution induces endosmosis
  • Endosmosis is the osmosis towards the inside of the cell while exosmosis is the osmosis towards the outside of the cell.
  • An example of endosmosis is when raisins swell when placed in normal water while exosmosis is when raisins shrivel when placed in the concentrated salt solution.
  • The endosmosis in human cause intoxication while exosmosis causes dehydration

    • Read More: Difference between Osmosis and Diffusion

    Comparison Video

    Summary

    Endosmosis and exosmosis are the two main types of osmosis. Both involve the movement of water into and out of the cell. The core difference between endosmosis and exosmosis is the different direction of water movement.

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