Water potential.

Water moves across a selectively permeable membrane from higher water potential to lower by osmosis.

Water potential (MegaPascal, or Q) is the sum of pressure potential (Q[P]) and solute potential (Q[S]):

Q = Q[P] + Q[S].

  • The addition of solutes reduces water potential (to a negative value).
  • Application of physical pressure increases water potential.
  • The increased physical pressure can reverse the effects of the solutes .
  • A negative pressure reduces water potential (on the other side).