Imbibisyon

Imbibisyon, in Filipino usage equivalent to the scientific term imbibition, is the process by which a dry solid absorbs liquid, typically water, causing the material to swell. This phenomenon occurs in many porous substances, including plant tissues, seeds, clays, and hydrophilic polymers. The term can refer to both natural processes and engineered systems where liquid uptake alters structure or properties.

Mechanism: Imbibition is driven by capillary forces and the affinity of the liquid for the solid’s surface. The liquid rapidly wets exposed surfaces and penetrates pores, leading to swelling as bound layers of water are formed. Importantly, the process is generally passive and does not require metabolic activity or semipermeable membranes, distinguishing it from osmosis.

Biological relevance: In seeds, imbibition is the initial phase of germination, rehydrating dry tissues, reactivating metabolism, and facilitating enzymatic processes. In plants, tissue swelling from water uptake helps with turgor pressure. In materials science and food technology, imbibition describes absorption of liquids by paper, textiles, wood, clays, and hydrogels, influencing texture, strength, and stability.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from Latin imbibere, "to drink in". In Filipino contexts, imbibisyon is widely used to denote this general absorption and swelling phenomenon, while in English it is primarily referred to as imbibition.