Biology

factors affecting imbibition with Rate and Extent

Imbibition is “a special type of diffusion in which there is a net movement of water molecules towards an imbibant” (hydrophilic surfaces that adsorb water such as colloids like protein, starch, clay, etc.) The force generated by the imbibants ss termed as matric potential and replaces the old term imbibition pressure. The matric potential is analogous to solute potential.

In the plant cells the imbibition refers to the absorption and adsorption of water by insoluble, solid, hydrophilic protoplasmic, and cell wall constituents. If dry plant material such as dry wood is placed in water it swells and there is a noticeable increase in its volume as we.

Similarly when air-dried pea seeds are placed in water, this swell. Lite direction of water movement is from a region of higher water -potential to one of lower water potential. The force responsible for binding (adsorption) of water molecules to the hydrophilic surfaces (protein pea seeds) is hydrogen bonding.

A tremendous amount of pressure (imbibition pressure) can develop if the imbibant is confined and then allowed to imbibe water. A common example of imbibition is that of a sticking timoden door or window frame during humid weather or rainy season.

MATRIC POTENTIAL (q M)

The hydrophilic surfaces, for example, those of colloids such as proteins, starch, and clay adsorb water and tenacity (the force with which the molecules stick or cling to an object) with which the water molecules are adsorbed depends not only upon the nature of the surface but also of the distance between the surface and adsorbed water molecules.

Those molecules that are present directly on the adsorbing surface are held extremely tightly and those which are at a distance from the adsorbing surface are held less tightly. ‘The adsorption of water b hydrophilic surfaces is called hydration or imbibition.matric potentional

The matric potential is a measure of the tendency for a matrix to absorb additional water molecules. This tendency is equivalent to the average tenacity with which the least tightly held (more distant) layer of water molecules is adsorbed. Matric potential is expressed in units of water potential.

A dry- colloid or hydrophilic surface such as filter paper, wood, soil, or gelatin often has negative matric potential, while the same colloid in a large volume of pure water has a matric potential of zero since it is saturated and therefore in equilibrium with the water.

In general, when any colloid at atmospheric pressure is in equilibrium with its surroundings, the least tightly held water molecules have the same free energy as the water molecules in the surroundings, so the matric potential of the colloid is equal to the water potential of the colloid s equal to the water potential of the surroundings.

The matric potential is analogous to the solute potential (osmotic potential) in that it represents the potential maximum pressure that an adsorbent will develop if submerged in pure water. The actual pressure that develops when water ¡s imbibed may be thought of as pressure potential (urger pressure). Therefore,

Water potential = matric potential + pressure potential

ψ = ψM + ψp

No pressure potential develops in an unconfined adsorbent, therefore:

Water potential = matric potential

En a complex system such as a cell that contains molecules of colloidal protein and other hydrophilic surfaces, as well as simple solute ions and molecules, the final water potential will be determined not only by the solute particles and the pressine but also by the matric effects of the proteins and other surfaces because these surface bind water molecules and result in a decrease in water potential.

Conditions Necessary for Imbibition

Two conditions are necessary for imbibition to occur:

i. Water Potential Gradient

A water potential gradient must exist between the surface of the imbibant and the liquid imbibed. Very negative water potentials exist in dry plant materials, e. g., and water potential of dry seeds is recorded up.to -900 bars.

Therefore, when the dry seeds are placed in pure water, the water moves rapidly to the surface of the imbibant due to the presence of a steep water potential gradient. As the water continues to be adsorbed, the water potential becomes less negative until it equals that of external water, and the imbibition ceases and a state of dynamic equilibrium is achieved.

ii. Affinity Between Imbibant and Liquid Imbibed

A certain affinity must exist between components of the imbibant and liquids imbibed. An imbibant does not necessarily imbibe all kinds of liquids. For example, dry plant materials immersed in ether do not swell appreciably as compared to when these are immersed in water.

Similarly, if the rubber is immersed in water it does not imbibe water, however, it imbibes ether. This suggests that certain attractive forces must exist between the imbibants and the liquids to be imbibed.

In living and dead plant cells (in pea seeds and xylem vessels) hydrophilic colloids such as proteins and cellulose are present. These have a strong attraction for water. That is why the seeds or wood swells when immersed in water.

Factors Affecting Rate and Extent of Imbibition

The rate and extent of imbibition are affected primarily by temperature and by the solute potential (osmotic potential) of the liquid to be imbibed.

i. Temperature

Temperature does not affect the amount of water taken up by the imbibant, but it affects the rate of imbibition. An increase in temperature causes an increase in the rate of imbibition.

ii. Solute Potential

Solute potential affects the rate of imbibition as well as the amount of water imbibed. The addition of a solute to pure water decreases the water potential of the solution so a potential gradient is produced between the imbibant and liquid to be imbibed. If this gradient is higher the rate of imbibition and amount of water imbibed is more and if the gradient is lesser the rate of imbibition decrease along with a decrease in the amount of water imbibed.

Importance of Imbibition

The presence of adsorbent or water-binding materials (imbibants) in a biological system results in more negative water potential, causing osmosis. Because most of the water molecules are attracted by these imbibants binding these to their surfaces, the amount of free energy is reduced in the system and the water potential of the system becomes more negative. Also, the process of imbibition is largely responsible for carrying water into the germinating seeds.

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