If a concentration gradient has been established across a membrane, the permeable solute will diffuse across the membrane from the side with the higher concentration to the side with the lower concentration so slowly that there will be no movement of these molecules, even though the membrane is permeable to them. from the side with the lower concentration to the side with the higher concentration. In both directions, but with no \"net\" movement In any particular direction. Solution Answer: (a) If a concentration gradient has been established across a membrane, the permeable solute will diffuse across the membrane from the side with the higher concentration to the side with the lower concentration. Passive transport is the movement of solutes and molecular substances across cell membranes without need of energy input. It is the net movement of solutes across the cell membrane along the concentration gradient and continues until an equilibrium has been reached. Simple diffusion and osmosis are in someway similar. Simple diffusion is the passive movement of solute from a high concentration to a lower concentration until the concentration of the solute is uniform. Osmosis describes the movement of water (not the solute) across a selectively permeable membrane until there is an equal concentration of water and solute on both sides of the membrane..