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what is mean by water potential, solute potential and pressure potential?

 Water Potential is a measure of the tendency of water molecules to move from one place to another. The symbol used for water potential is the Greek letter psi, ?

Water always moves from a region of higher water potential to one of lower water potential, or down the concentration gradient.
The amount that the solute molecules lower the water potential is called the solute potential. It always has a negative value and is given the symbol, ?s

Pressure also has a role to play in determining water potential. The greater the pressure inside a cell, the greater the tendency will be for water to leave it. This contribution to water potential is called the pressure potential. It always has a positive value because it increase water potential and is given the symbol ?p.


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