Which term describes the diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane?

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Multiple Choice

Which term describes the diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane?

Explanation:
Osmosis is the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration. The membrane lets water through but restricts many solutes, so water shifts to balance the solute levels. It’s a passive process, not requiring energy. For example, a plant cell in pure water takes in water by osmosis and becomes turgid, while in a salty solution water leaves the cell. Saying “diffusion of water across membranes” is less precise because osmosis specifically describes water moving through a semipermeable membrane driven by solute differences.

Osmosis is the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration. The membrane lets water through but restricts many solutes, so water shifts to balance the solute levels. It’s a passive process, not requiring energy. For example, a plant cell in pure water takes in water by osmosis and becomes turgid, while in a salty solution water leaves the cell. Saying “diffusion of water across membranes” is less precise because osmosis specifically describes water moving through a semipermeable membrane driven by solute differences.

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