Solute potential, also known as osmotic potential, is a measure of the tendency of water to move into a solution due to the presence of solutes. It is expressed in units of pressure, typically megapascals (MPa). The more solute particles present in a solution, the lower the solute potential, which means water is more likely to move into that solution from areas of higher potential. In plant biology, solute potential plays a crucial role in processes like osmosis and water uptake. When a plant cell is placed in a solution with a lower solute potential than its own, water enters the cell, causing it to swell. Conversely, if the cell is in a solution with a higher solute potential, water will leave the cell, leading to shrinkage.