Question

The diagram compares diffusion of sugar molecules and osmosis. Explain the difference between osmosis and diffusion in cells.

Answer 1

Explanation:

the movement of water from high region to low concentration through semi permeable membrane called osmosis

it involves in solvent molecules

the movement of water from high region to low region concentration called diffusion

involves in liquid and gas

Answer 2

Osmosis: Osmosis is the movement of solvent particles across a semipermeable  membrane from a dilute solution into a concentrated solution. The solvent moves to  dilute the concentrated solution and equalize the concentration on both sides of the  membrane.

Diffusion: Diffusion is the movement of particles from an area of higher concentration  to lower concentration. The overall effect is to equalize concentration throughout the  medium.

Examples of Osmosis: Examples of osmosis include red blood cells swelling up when  exposed to fresh water and plant root hairs taking up water. To see an easy  demonstration of osmosis, soak gummy candies in water. The gel of the candies acts as to  semipermeable membrane.

Examples of Diffusion: Examples of diffusion include perfume filling a whole room and  the movement of small molecules across a cell membrane. One of the simplest  demonstrations of diffusion is adding a drop of food coloring to the water. Although other  transport processes do occur, diffusion is the key player.

• One big difference between osmosis and diffusion is that both solvent and solute  particles are free to move in diffusion, but when we talk about osmosis, only the solvent  molecules (water molecules) cross the membrane.
• This can be confusing to understand  because while the solvent particles are moving from higher to lower solvent  concentration across the membrane, they are moving from lower to higher solute  concentration.
• This occurs naturally because the system seeks balance or equilibrium.
• If the solute  particles can't cross a barrier, the only way to equalize concentration on both sides of the  membrane is for the solvent particles to move in.