Softening of a solid by soaking is called?

Softening of a solid by soaking is called?

• A. Maceration
• B. Blanch
• C. Ischemia
• D. Necrosis

Answer: (A)

Maceration is the process of softening a solid by soaking in a liquid, allowing the solvent to diffuse into the material and break down its structure to become more pliable. This describes why the solid becomes less rigid simply through immersion. In contrast, blanching is a brief hot-water or steam treatment to loosen skin or deactivate enzymes, not just soaking to soften. Ischemia means reduced blood flow to tissue, and necrosis is tissue death—neither describes softening from soaking. So, maceration is the best choice.

Maceration is the process of softening a solid by soaking in a liquid, allowing the solvent to diffuse into the material and break down its structure to become more pliable. This describes why the solid becomes less rigid simply through immersion. In contrast, blanching is a brief hot-water or steam treatment to loosen skin or deactivate enzymes, not just soaking to soften. Ischemia means reduced blood flow to tissue, and necrosis is tissue death—neither describes softening from soaking. So, maceration is the best choice.