In osmosis, which property of water is most directly responsible for reducing edema by drawing water out of swollen tissues when a hypertonic solution is applied?

• A. Water is incompressible, so it physically forces fluid out of tissues under pressure.
• B. Water moves across a semipermeable membrane from lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration due to osmotic pressure.
• C. Water has low surface tension, so it spreads easily and drains fluid from tissues.
• D. Water has a high specific heat capacity, so it absorbs heat and reduces swelling.

Answer: (B)