What term describes the force by which individual molecules stick to surrounding materials and surfaces?

The term that describes the force by which individual molecules stick to surrounding materials and surfaces is adhesion. Adhesion occurs when molecules of different substances are attracted to each other. This property is essential in various biological processes, such as water interacting with cell walls or how water droplets form on surfaces. In contrast, cohesion refers to the attraction between molecules of the same substance, such as water molecules sticking to each other. Diffusion and osmosis are processes that involve the movement of molecules, typically in relation to concentration gradients and the movement of water molecules across membranes, respectively, rather than the interaction of molecules with surfaces. Therefore, adhesion specifically highlights the interaction between distinct molecules and materials, making it the correct term in this context.