Question

Imbibition is a
a. Property of solvent
b. Capillary phenomenon
c. Protoplasmic phenomenon
d. Property of solutes

Answer 1

Imbibition is the process of water adsorption by solid substances without forming a solution. Imbibition is a special type of diffusion that takes place when water is adsorbed by solids-colloids causing an increase in volume. It is the first step in the germination of seeds. When the seeds are soaked in water, they swell by the imbibition.

Complete answer:
Imbibition is the physical adsorption of water molecules on the adsorbing surface. Seeds absorb water due to imbibition. The imbibition of water is the first step in seed germination. Imbibant holds water through the processes of adsorption and capillary.

Imbibition in plants- It causes the swelling of seeds and results in the breaking of testa. Imbibition is the initial step in seed germination. The water moves into ovules which leads to the ripening into seeds by imbibition. Factors affecting imbibition are- pressure, pH, the affinity of the imbibant, and the texture of the imbibant.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Additional information:
- A solvent is a liquid but can also be a gas, a solid, or a supercritical fluid. Imbibition is the process of adsorption; it is not affected by the property of a solvent.
- Protoplasm is made up of a mixture of small molecules (ions, amino acids, monosaccharides, and water), and macromolecules (nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides). It does not affect the process of imbibition.
- A solution, a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances. In plants, water is imbibed through roots, since there is no solution available, water is picked up through the soil.

Note: Imbibition is the physical adsorption of water molecules on the adsorbing surface. Capillary action is defined as the ability of the water to flow in narrow spaces against external forces. For Imbibition, Matrix potential is mainly responsible. Intermolecular forces occurring between liquid and surrounding solid surfaces contribute to the capillary action. Thus, imbibition is a capillary phenomenon.