What term describes the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane?

The movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane is specifically referred to as osmosis. This term is used to describe the process where water molecules move from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration through a membrane that only allows certain molecules, such as water, to pass while restricting others. This movement continues until there is an equal concentration of solute on both sides of the membrane, achieving a state of equilibrium.

Osmosis is critical for maintaining the proper balance of fluids in living organisms, influencing processes such as nutrient absorption in cells and the regulation of blood pressure in vascular systems. Understanding this process is essential in biology because it explains how cells take in water and maintain their structure and function in various environments.