Definition: Absorb means to take in or soak up a substance. When a material absorbs another substance, it takes it into its structure, rather than allowing it to pass through or bounce off.
When a sponge absorbs water, the tiny empty spaces in the sponge's material soak up the water, causing the sponge to become wet.
Plants absorb water and nutrients from the soil through their roots, which are then transported to other parts of the plant for growth and nourishment.
When you spill a liquid on a paper towel, the towel absorbs the liquid, causing it to become damp as the liquid is drawn into the towel's fibers.
Study Guide:
Here are some key points to remember about absorption:
Importance in Nature:Absorption is essential for many processes in nature, including plantgrowth, nutrient uptake, and water distribution in ecosystems.
Applications in Daily Life: Understanding absorption is important in fields such as cooking (e.g., when food absorbs flavors during cooking), constructionmaterials, and environmental science.
Measuring Absorption: Scientists use tools like spectrophotometers to measure the absorption of light by substances, which is important in fields like chemistry and physics.
By understanding the concept of absorption, you can gain insights into how materials interact with substances in the world around us and how this process impacts various natural and human-made systems.
All organisms have structures and systems with separate functions. Students can:
Develop and communicate an evidence-based scientific explanation of the role of different organs or structures that are important for an organism's survival - in both plants and animals