Chapter 7.1, Problem 5AYP

Summary Introduction

To compare:

Between the processes of diffusion and osmosis.

Concept introduction:

Osmosis occurs when water is transported with fluids across a semi-permeable membrane down the concentration gradient. This process takes place in accordance to temperature, and pressure. The concentration of solute and free water molecules are the same, the solution is isotonic, and doesn’t involve any movement of water across the semi-permeable membrane. When a solution with varying concentrations is divided by a semi-permeable membrane, the side with higher concentration is the hypertonic solution and the side which is more diluted is the isotonic solution.

The process of diffusion involves the direct transport of some very small molecules like water and oxygen. This process is also applicable for the lipid-soluble molecules like ethyl alcohol. The rate of diffusion is directly proportional to the temperature, concentration gradient, and solubility in lipids. It is indirectly proportional to the molecular size.