Question

Give one word for the following

1. Initial uptake of water by the hydrophilic molecules of cell well?

Answer 1

Imbibition

1. Imbibition is the initial intake of water by a dehydrated seed by the surface molecules.
2. It is the adsorption of water by hydrophilic (water-loving) molecules of the cell wall.
3. It is due to the rehydration of structural molecules like hemicelluloses and pectin and storage molecules like proteins and starch.
4. Imbibition is a type of diffusion by which water moves along a diffusion gradient. The dry plant materials or seeds imbibe water and swell.