Expert: Walter Hintz - 3/2/2007

Question
explain osmosis in terms of what goes on inside the large intestine ,please. i really need a detailed answer to help me write an essay. cheers.

Answer
  Hi Ruby
Osmosis is not a complicated thing.  It is merely the passive diffusion of water across differentially permeable membranes and the net movement of water is from a high concentration to a lower concentration.
Water is necessary for the digestive process and accumulates in the colon along withe the waste materials.  It must be reabsorbed to prevent dehydration of the body.  The walls of the large intestine are rich in blood vessels and water diffuses into the blood stream by osmosis