Osmotic Pressure Definition

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Osmotic Pressure:

The pressure required to stop osmosis through a semipermeable membrane between a solution and pure solvent. It is proportional to the osmolality of the solution. Osmotic shock is a sudden change in the osmotic pressure to which a cell is subjected, usually in order to cause it to lyse and lose its contents. (Dorland, 28th ed; Stedman, 26th ed)

Synonym: osmotic shock.