The one-way diffusion of water through a semipermeable membrane is known as?

The one-way diffusion of water through a semipermeable membrane is known as?

• A. Osmosis
• B. Diffusion
• C. Active Transport
• D. Facilitated Diffusion

Answer: (A)

Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of higher water potential to an area of lower water potential (from lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration). This movement is passive, requiring no energy, and it continues to balance the solute concentrations on both sides of the membrane. It differs from general diffusion, which can involve solutes, and from active transport, which uses energy to move substances against their gradient. Facilitated diffusion uses proteins to help substances cross the membrane down their gradient, but osmosis is specifically about water movement through a membrane.

Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of higher water potential to an area of lower water potential (from lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration). This movement is passive, requiring no energy, and it continues to balance the solute concentrations on both sides of the membrane. It differs from general diffusion, which can involve solutes, and from active transport, which uses energy to move substances against their gradient. Facilitated diffusion uses proteins to help substances cross the membrane down their gradient, but osmosis is specifically about water movement through a membrane.