Difference between osmosis and diffusion

What is the difference between diffusion and osmosis? Both diffusion and osmosis are two vital passive transport that facilitates the movement of molecules in and out of the cell. The lesson provides the core difference between diffusion and osmosis in table form for easier understanding during revision for competitive exams. What Is Diffusion? Diffusion is the movement of molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration. Diffusion is quite important during the exchange of gases, transpiration, and photosynthesis in plants. It also helps in the creation of energy. Types of diffusion include surface, collective, electron, facilitated, effusion, photon, gaseous, self, reverse, momentum, Brownian, and Knudsen diffusion. Factors affecting diffusion are molecular weight, concentration gradient, pressure, and temperature. Examples of situations entail diffusion is any spray such as deodorants and perfumes where the molecules of the gas distribute equally in the available space on the bottle is opened. What Is Osmosis? Osmosis is the movement of solvent molecules through a semi-permeable membrane from a dilute solution to a concentrated solution to attain equilibrium. Osmosis help to maintain concentration gradient inside and outside the cell, distribution of nutrients, and release of the metabolic waste from the body. Some common types of osmosis are reverse and forward osmosis. Factors that affect osmosis are diffusion distance, concentration g...

The passage of the solvent molecules in osmosis occurs through a selectively permeable membrane . In contrast, for diffusion, the membrane is not mandatory. It can spread the particles directly within the given medium. Osmosis establishes an equilibrium between osmotic pressures of solutions on both sides of the membrane . Diffusion also creates equilibrium. And thus, it continues until all the particles are equally distributed in the given area . In this context, we will provide you with key differences between osmosis and diffusion. Content: Osmosis Vs Diffusion • • • • • Comparison Chart Basis for Comparison Osmosis Diffusion Meaning The movement of liquid (solvent) especially water from the higher region concentration to the region of lower concentration, through the semipermeable membrane is called osmosis. The movement of molecules (solid, liquid or gases) from a region of higher concentration to the lower region concentration, but not necessarily through a semi-permeable membrane is called diffusion. Semi-permeable membrane The motion is through the semi-permeable membrane. The motion is direct and does not require the semi-permeable membrane. Medium This process undertakes in the liquid medium. This process undertakes in any medium (solid, liquid and gases). Type of diffusing molecule The movement is basically of solvent (water). The movement can be in solid, liquid, or gases. Rate of process Osmosis is a slow process. Diffusion is the fast process. Free-energy Osm...

Learning Outcomes • Define osmosis and diffusion. • Distinguish among hypotonic, hypertonic, and isotonic solutions. • Describe a semipermeable membrane. • Predict behavior of blood cells in different solution types. • Describe flow of solvent molecules across a membrane. • Identify the polar and nonpolar regions of a cell membrane. • Explain the components present in a phospholipid. Fish cells, like all cells, have semipermeable membranes. Eventually, the concentration of "stuff" on either side of them will even out. A fish that lives in salt water will have somewhat salty water inside itself. Put it in freshwater, and the freshwater will, through osmosis, enter the fish, causing its cells to swell, and the fish will die. What will happen to a freshwater fish in the ocean? Osmosis Imagine you have a cup that has \(100 \: \text\): Red blood cells in hypertonic, isotonic, and hypotonic solutions. Osmosis is the diffusion of water molecules across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower concentration solution (i.e., higher concentration of water) to an area of higher concentration solution (i.e., lower concentration of water). Water moves into and out of cells by osmosis. • If a cell is in a hypertonic solution, the solution has a lower water concentration than the cell cytosol, and water moves out of the cell until both solutions are isotonic. • Cells placed in a hypotonic solution will take in water across their membranes until both the external solution and the cyt...

1. Description of Diffusion and Osmosis A water solution that contains nutrients, wastes, gases, salts and other substances surrounds cells. This is the external environmentof a cell. The cell’s outer surface of the plasma membrane is in contact with this external environment, while the inner surface is in contact with the cytoplasm. Thus, the plasma membrane controls what enters and leaves the cell. The membrane permits the passage of some materials, but not all. The cell membrane is said to be selectively permeable. Small molecules, for example, may pass through the membrane. If no energy is required for substances to pass through the membrane, the process is called passive transport. We will discuss two examples of passive transport in this tutorial: diffusionand osmosis. Diffusion Although you may not know what diffusion is, you have experienced the process. Can you remember walking into the front door of your home and smelling a pleasant aroma coming from the kitchen? It was diffusion of molecules from the kitchen to the front door of the house that allowed you to detect the odors. Diffusion is defined as the net movement of molecules from an area of greater concentration to an area of lesser concentration. The molecules in a gas, a liquid or a solid are in constant motion due to their kinetic energy. Molecules are in constant movement and collide with each other. These collisions cause the molecules to move in random directions. Over time, however, more molecules wil...

Osmosis The process of moving of solvent particles across a semipermeable membrane from a dilute solution into a concentrated solution to equalize concentration. The complete process does not require energy in order to take place. For example, The absorption of water molecules from the soil through the roots of the plant. Diffusion The process of moving particles from a region of higher concentration to the region of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached. The complete process does not require energy in order to take place. Difference between Osmosis and Diffusion Osmosis Diffusion It is limited only to the liquid medium. Occurs in all mediums – Solid, Liquid and gas. Requires a semipermeable membrane. Do not require a semipermeable membrane. Depends on the number of solute particles dissolved in the solvent. Depends on the presence of other particles. Requires water for the movement of particles. Do not require water for the movement of particles. Only the solvent molecules can diffuse. Both the molecules of solute and solvent can diffuse. The flow of particles occurs only in one direction. The flow of particles occurs in all the directions. The entire process can either be stopped or reversed by applying additional pressure on the solution side. This process can neither be stopped nor reversed. Occurs only between the similar types of solutions. Occurs between the similar and dissimilar types of solutions. It involves the movement of only solvent molecules from...