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When the positive terminal of a cell is connected to p-side and the negative terminal to the n-side at a p-n junction is said to be forward biased. When the p-n junction is forward-biased, electric charge flows freely due to reduced resistance of the p-n junction.When the positive terminal of a cell is connected to the n-side and the negative terminal to the p-side at a p-n junction it is said to be reverse biased.When the p-n junction is reverse-biased, 

however, the junction barrier (and therefore resistance) becomes greater and charge flow is minimal.