Explain: Imbibition.

(N/A) $\Rightarrow$ Imbibition is a special type of diffusion where water is absorbed by solids (colloids),causing them to increase enormously in volume.
$\Rightarrow$ It is a specific form of diffusion.
$\Rightarrow$ Classical examples of imbibition include the absorption of water by seeds and dry wood.
$\Rightarrow$ The pressure produced by the swelling of wood was historically used by humans to split rocks and boulders.
$\Rightarrow$ Without the pressure generated by imbibition,seedlings would not be able to emerge from the soil.
$\Rightarrow$ They likely would not have been able to establish themselves. Imbibition is considered diffusion because the movement of water occurs along a concentration gradient.
$\Rightarrow$ Seeds and similar materials contain almost no water,allowing them to absorb it readily.
$\Rightarrow$ $A$ water potential gradient between the absorbent and the liquid is essential for imbibition.
$\Rightarrow$ For any substance to imbibe a liquid,an affinity between the absorbent and the liquid is a prerequisite.