Question

Which among these one is the most efficient imbibant?
A. Pectin
B. Agar
C. Cellulose
D. Lignin

Answer 1

Hint:- Imbibition is a type of diffusion which is defined as absorption of water by solids-colloids causing an increase in volume and imbibant are the compounds that imbibe water in a solid-colloid solution.

Complete step-by-step solution:-
Imbibition is a type of diffusion, it can be defined as absorption of water by solids-colloids causing an increase in volume. Specifically, the uptake of water by a seed or dry wood. Let's understand the process of imbibition by an example. As we see in rainy seasons wooden doors swell up. Wood is part of a tree so it regularly takes water from roots. So, its cells are full of water but when the tree is cut and the wood milled, the cells slowly dry out and shrink. When these woods are exposed to rain, the cells reabsorb water from the moist air by the process of imbibition.
Factors affecting the rate of Imbibition are:
Nature of imbibant: Imbibant are the compounds that imbibe water in a solid-colloid solution.
Temperature: The rate of imbibition increases with the increase in temperature.
Concentration of the solute: Increase in concentration of the solute decreases inhibition.
Surface area of imbibant:The imbibition will be greater with large imbibant is large.
So, Imbibant are the solid substance which absorbs water without being dissolve in water and swells up like woods in the rainy season or seed during germination and we have asked about the most efficient imbibant and the options are: Pectin, Agar, Cellulose and Lignin. Among the agar is the most efficient imbibant.
So, the correct option is B. Agar.

Note:- Agar is the most powerful imbibant among these four options as it absorbs 99% more water than its own weight and cellulose is the weakest imbibant among them.