Difference Between Osmosis and Diffusion

The Difference Between Osmosis and Diffusion is as follows:

Features

Osmosis

Diffusion

Definition

Osmosis is the specific type of diffusion that involves the movement of solvent molecules (usually water) through a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Diffusion is the general process of particle movement from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Particles involved

Typically involves the movement of solvent molecules (e.g., water) across a selectively permeable membrane.

Involves the movement of any type of particles, such as solute molecules or gases, in a liquid, gas, or solid medium.

Selective barrier

Requires a semipermeable membrane to occur, where only certain molecules can pass through.

Can occur in the absence of a membrane or in an open system where particles can move freely.

Direction of movement

Moves solvent molecules from areas of lower solute concentration to areas of higher solute concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Moves particles from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Energy requirement

Generally a passive process that does not require energy input (osmosis is passive transport).

Typically a passive process, but some types of diffusion, like facilitated diffusion, may involve protein channels and require minimal energy.

Osmosis

Osmosis is a biological and chemical process in which there is passive movement of solvent molecules from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration through a semipermeable membrane, thus equalizing solute concentrations on both sides of the membrane. The osmosis process is essential for many biological processes, including the absorption of nutrients and the maintenance of the fluid balance in cells and organisms.

Table of Content

  • Osmosis Definition
  • What is Osmosis?
  • Osmotic Solution
  • Types of Osmosis
  • Effect of Osmosis on Cell
  • Osmotic Pressure
  • Significance of Osmosis
  • Examples of Osmosis
  • Factors Affecting Osmosis
  • Variation of Osmosis
  • Difference Between Osmosis and Diffusion
  • FAQs on Osmosis

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Osmosis Definition

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What is Osmosis?

Osmosis is the passive movement of a solvent, through a semi – permeable membrane, from a region of higher solvent concentration to a region of lower solvent concentration, equalizing the concentrations on both sides....

Osmotic Solution

Osmosis is the movement of molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration through a semipermeable membrane until equilibrium is reached. The Osmotic phenomenon was discovered in 1748 by Nollet. Osmosis is a type of passive transport, that is, it doesn’t require energy from outside and can occur spontaneously. The process occurs naturally in the biological system, such as nutrient uptake in plant roots and maintaining cell turgor pressure....

Types of Osmosis

Three types of osmotic solutions are present:...

Effect of Osmosis on Cell

Endosmosis: Endosmosis occurs when the solute concentration inside the cell or system is higher than the surrounding environment, causing water to move inward to equalize the concentration. The cell becomes turgid or shows deplasmolysis. Exosmosis: Exosmosis occurs when the solute concentration inside the cell or system is lower than the surrounding environment, leading to the efflux of water to balance the concentrations. The cell becomes flaccid or shows plasmolysis....

Osmotic Pressure

Osmosis has a direct impact on cells. When a plant or animal cell is surrounded by a hypotonic solution, the animal cell can burst (lyse), while plant cells, with rigid cell walls and a greater need for water, maintain their structure. Animal cells find equilibrium in an isotonic solution, while plant cells lose their turgidity in such conditions....

Significance of Osmosis

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Examples of Osmosis

The biological significance of osmosis includes the following:...

Factors Affecting Osmosis

It plays an important role in both plant and animal cells. Osmosis help in...

Variation of Osmosis

The various factors affecting the process of osmosis are as follows:...

Difference Between Osmosis and Diffusion

Osmosis (Reverse osmosis): This process employs pressure to drive a solvent through a semipermeable membrane while retaining solutes on one side. It forces pure solvent from an area of high solute concentration through the membrane to an area of low solute concentration, utilizing pressure greater than the osmotic pressure. Reverse osmosis is commonly used for water purification and desalination. Forward Osmosis: Osmosis is utilized to directly separate water from a solution containing undesirable solutes. A draw solution with higher osmotic pressure compared to the feed solution is employed to induce a net flow of water through a semipermeable membrane. This results in the concentration of the feed solution as the draw solution dilutes. The diluted draw solution can be used directly or subjected to a secondary separation process to remove the draw solute, which can be more efficient than using reverse osmosis alone....

FAQs on Osmosis

The Difference Between Osmosis and Diffusion is as follows:...