What is Diffusion and Osmosis? How are they different?

1. Diffusion and Osmosis
Biology Notes

2. Diffusion
 No membrane required (Nature of transport )
 Flow from [ Higher ] to [ Lower ] concentration
 Between Solid Liquid or Gas
 Relatively faster then Osmosis
 Can spread over a long distance or area
Definition: Net movement of particles from a region of higher
concentration to a region of lower concentration through the
concentration gradient

3. Osmosis
 Needs Semi-Permeable membrane
 Flows from area of [ Higher ] water potential to area of [ Lower ]
water potential
 Only between two solvents
 Relatively slower then diffusion
 Is limited to short distances and area

4. Similarities
 Occur in living and non-living systems
 Do not require external energy to drive the process
 Takes place along the concentration gradient
 Passive transport

5. Water Potential
 The tendency for water to move from on point to another
 Water always moves from a area of [ Higher ] water potential to
an area of [ Lower ] water potential
 Water potential is like Diffusion in Water

6. Water Potential
 The tendency for water to move from on point to another
 Water always moves from a area of [ Higher ] water potential to
an area of [ Lower ] water potential
 Water potential is like Diffusion in Water