Why is osmosis said to be a special type of diffusion?

Question:

Why is osmosis said to be a special type of diffusion?

Diffusion:

Diffusion is the movement of solutes from an area of higher solute concentration to an area of lower solute concentration (i.e. down their concentration gradient) in an effort to equalize the concentration. This is a passive process. Diffusion can occur in one system or across systems via a membrane that is permeable to the solute.

Answer and Explanation: 1

Become a Study.com member to unlock this answer!

View this answer

Osmosis is the diffusion of water.

When a membrane is impermeable to a solute, water (most often the solvent and most often able to move through this...

See full answer below.


Learn more about this topic:

Loading...
Osmosis Definition, Diagram & Examples

from

Chapter 4 / Lesson 21
228K

Understand what osmosis is and what happens during osmosis. Learn why osmosis is important to the survival of a cell and explore various types of solutions.


Related to this Question

Explore our homework questions and answers library