Question

Difference between osmosis and reverse osmosis animation

Answer 1

Osmosis can be slowed, stopped, or even reversed if sufficient pressure is applied to the membrane from the 'concentrated' side of the membrane. Reverse osmosis occurs when the water is moved across the membrane against the concentration gradient, from lower concentration to higher concentration.

Answer 2

Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a permeable barrier. logically, I've always thought of it as sort of backwards diffusion. In diffusion, solute molecules move from an area of high concentration to low. No barrier ( like a cell membrane) is required. In osmosis, water molecules move from an area where they are relatively concentrated (I.e. a dilute solution) to a solution that is more concentrated (where there are more solute molecules and fewer water molecules). Water will always move by osmosis (if it can move across the barrier between solutions) in order to bring the concentrations of both solutions to equilibrium. Osmosis is very important in Biology, because the movement of solute molecules across membranes is usually regulated, and water must move to maintain fluid balance and pressure on both sides of a cell membrane.