What is imbibition in biology?

Imbibition is nothing but a type of diffusion in which the liquid get absorbed to the solids. The phenomenon of imbibition play role in various processes including germination.Imbibition causes increase in the volume of the solid due to absorption of water by solids. This increase in volume is many a times used to pave the way to spread the roots within the hard rock surface and enable the plant to have more hold over the soil surface.Just like diffusion the the phenomenon of of imbibition also takes place along the concentration gradient.

The key factor in case of imbibition is that, during the absorption of water by solids, no solution is formed. The liquid which gets imbibed is called imbibate.

Factors like temperature and concentration gradient affect the rate of imbibition. 

For instance increase in temperature, increases the rate of imbibition.

Also, some energy is released during the process of imbibition, this energy is called heat of wetting which help[s in breaking the rocks and hard surface to enable root spreading and water absorption.

FAQ

1. What is significance of imbibition?

Imbibition is nothing but a type of diffusion in which the liquid get absorbed to the solids. The phenomenon of imbibition play role in various processes including germination.Imbibition causes increase in the volume of the solid due to absorption of water by solids. This increase in volume is many a times used to pave the way to spread the roots within the hard rock surface and enable the plant to have more hold over the soil surface.Just like diffusion the the phenomenon of of imbibition also takes place along the concentration gradient.

The key factor in case of imbibition is that, during the absorption of water by solids, no solution is formed. The liquid which gets imbibed is called imbibate.

Factors like temperature and concentration gradient affect the rate of imbibition. 

For instance increase in temperature, increases the rate of imbibition.

Also, some energy is released during the process of imbibition, this energy is called heat of wetting which help[s in breaking the rocks and hard surface to enable root spreading and water absorption.