2 Describe one way in which osmosis is similar to simple diffusion and one way in which it is different.

Answer 1

One way in which osmosis is similar to simple diffusion is that both processes involve the movement of substances from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. This passive transport occurs without the need for energy input, as the substances move down their concentration gradients.

One key difference between osmosis and simple diffusion is that osmosis specifically refers to the movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane, whereas simple diffusion can involve the movement of other types of molecules (such as gases or small solutes) through a permeable membrane or within a solution. In essence, osmosis is a subset of diffusion that is exclusive to water.