Answer:
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The movement of water across the plasma membrane is determined by the concentration of solutes inside and outside the cell. There are two possible directions for water movement:
1. Osmosis: If the concentration of solutes is higher outside the cell compared to inside, water will move from an area of lower solute concentration (inside the cell) to an area of higher solute concentration (outside the cell). This movement of water helps to equalize the solute concentration on both sides of the membrane.
2. Reverse osmosis: In certain situations, if the concentration of solutes is higher inside the cell compared to outside, water can move from an area of higher solute concentration (inside the cell) to an area of lower solute concentration (outside the cell). This movement is known as reverse osmosis and can occur under specific conditions.
In summary, the direction of water movement across the plasma membrane depends on the relative concentration of solutes inside and outside the cell. It can move from an area of lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration (osmosis) or from higher solute concentration to lower solute concentration (reverse osmosis).
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