Question

Differentiate between absorption and adsorption.

Answer 1

• Absorption is a process in which anion or molecule gets into a cell or body through a membrane. Whereas adsorption is a process in which the accumulation of molecules occurs at the contact surface. It never gets into a cell or body through membrane.
• Absorption is not surface phenomenon and intermolecular forces do not occur, whereas in adsorption the molecules in contact are held by intermolecular forces.
• Absorption helps in the uptake of minerals and water in plants, whereas adsorption helps in the imbibition of water and enzyme activity. Absorption is sometimes an endothermic process whereas adsorption is an exothermic process.