Imbibition

What is Imbibition?

Imbibition is a type of diffusion where the water is absorbed by the solid particles called colloids, causing an enormous increase in volume. The solution is not formed in the process. In other words, water absorption by colloids is known as imbibition. Colloids are hydrophilic in nature.

Here, the solid substances are referred to as Imbibants and the imbibed liquid is referred to as imbibate. E.g. the absorption of water by seed or dry wood.

The capacity of imbibing will differ in different imbibants. For instance consider proteins, since it is a hydrophilic collides it will have maximum imbibing capacity. Compared to this, starch has less capacity and cellulose with least capacity.

Features of Imbibition

The important characteristics of imbibition are:

Water Potential

The water potential or matric potential of imbibants is negative. Water has maximum water potential, i.e. 0.

Increase in Volume

During imbibition, the volume of an imbibant increases. E.g. swelling of the soaked seeds, swelling of wooden frames during rains.

Water Potential Gradient

A steep water potential gradient is created, when a dry imbibant comes in contact with water. Water diffuses from the higher potential into the imbibant.

Heat of Wetting

The heat released during imbibition is known as the heat of wetting.

Adsorption

The imbibant holds the imbibate by adsorption. It is an attractive force between two substances.

Also Read: Adsorption vs Absorption

Factors Affecting Imbibition

Various factors affecting imbibition include:

• pressure
• texture of the imbibant
• pH of the medium
• affinity of the imbibant for the imbibate.

Condition Necessary for Imbibition

There are three conditions that are necessary for imbibition:

• Water potential gradient between imbibate and imbibant
• Force of attraction between imbibant and imbibate.
• IImbibation increases with an increase in temperature.

Imbibition In Plants

• Imbibition causes swelling of seeds and results in the breaking of testa.
• Imbibition is the initial step in seed germination.
• The water moves into ovules which are ripening into seeds by imbibition.
• Imbibition is dominant in the initial stage of water absorption by roots.

Imbibition Pressure

This pressure can be of tremendous magnitude and can be shown by a technique that is used by early Egyptians. It was used to break stone blocks. Split rock and insert a wooden stalk that is completely dry in the crevices of the rocks and soak them in water.

Different types of organic substances have different imbibing capacities. Proteins have a very high imbibing capacity compared to starch and cellulose has the least. That is why proteinaceous pea seeds swell more on imbibition than starchy wheat seeds.

Significance of Imbibition

The significance of imbibition includes:

1. It facilitates water absorption.
2. It helps in seed germination.
3. It keeps the cells moist.

Difference Between Imbibition and Diffusion

The important difference between imbibition and diffusion is mentioned below:

Also Read: Difference between diffusion and osmosis

For more information on Imbibition, the difference between imbibition and diffusion and imbibition in plants, keep visiting BYJU’S website or download BYJU’S app for further reference.