why and how is brining or pickling an example of osmosis?

Question

I have a biology test tomorrow and I still can’t understand the concept behind this and I think it’ll come out on the test. I need help, badly.

In: Biology

Answer 1

Osmosis is the diffusion of a substance through a semi-permeable membrane.

Meat cells are permeable; they may be penetrated. Brine is salt water. The salt permeates the meat during the soaking process. The salt passes through the membranes of the meat cells’ walls. That is brining. Same thing for pickling, which often uses vinegars instead of salt water.

Either method does the same thing. The soaking solution permeates the cells of the thing being soaked, via osmosis.